Worker Killed by Polar Bears at Canadian Arctic Outpost

In a tragic incident on Brevoort Island, Nunavut, two polar bears attacked and killed a worker at a remote radar station operated by Nasittuq Corporation. The attack occurred last Thursday, marking a rare and fatal encounter with polar bears, which are typically not aggressive towards humans. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed, but the company expressed its condolences, stating, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this loss." Following the attack, one of the bears was euthanized by responding employees. Nasittuq Corporation emphasized its commitment to employee safety and well-being, stating that they are providing support to the victim's family and counseling services to affected staff. The company is collaborating with local authorities and regulatory agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Brevoort Island is part of the North Warning System, a network of radar stations spanning over 3,100 miles from Alaska to Canada, designed to monitor potential threats. Polar bear attacks on humans are exceedingly rare, with this incident being the second fatal attack reported in the past year. The previous incident occurred in January 2023 in Wales, Alaska, where a polar bear killed a woman and her young son. The polar bear population in Canada is estimated at over 17,000, accounting for about two-thirds of the global total. However, the species faces threats from climate change, leading to habitat loss and increased human-bear interactions.