An employee at a remote radar station on Brevoort Island, Nevada, was killed Thursday when he was attacked by two polar bears.
The Nasittuq Corporation, which operates several radar stations in the Arctic for the Canadian government, confirmed the death of an unnamed worker on Friday. The company described the attack as a “tragic incident.”
The circumstances of the actual attack are still unclear.
One of the two polar bears was killed when other Nasittuq employees arrived at the scene.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues affected by this loss,” Nasittuq said in a statement.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the attack. The company said it is working closely with local authorities and regulators to determine the details of the deadly incident.
Nasittuq did not respond to a Global News request for further information.
The company said it is supporting the employee’s family and also offering counseling services to other workers in need.
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Nasittuq assured that the company is “deeply committed” to the well-being of its employees and maintaining a safe working environment.
The Nasittuq site on Brevoort Island is home to one of the numerous outposts of the Canadian-American North Warning System, which detect aircraft or missiles in the country’s airspace.
How common are polar bear attacks?
Polar bear attacks are very rare, but not unknown.
Last year, a woman and her one-year-old son were killed by a polar bear in the remote village of Wales, Alaska, at the tip of the Seward Peninsula.
According to Parks Canada, polar bear attacks should be handled differently than other bear attacks, primarily because polar bears may view humans as a potential food source.
If you are confronted with a polar bear, do not play dead.
If the bear has not yet noticed your presence, you should back away slowly without running. Experts recommend staying in the direction of the wind and always keeping the polar bear in sight.
However, if a polar bear has already spotted you and is approaching you, it is best to retreat quietly and be prepared to defend yourself by making loud noises and hitting the bear’s sensitive areas such as the face and nose.
In areas where polar bears are present, it is advisable to carry an air horn or other deterrent.
Polar bears are considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada lists polar bears as a species of “special concern” in the country.
According to the Canadian organization Polar Bears International, between 1870 and 2014, twenty people were killed and 63 injured in polar bear attacks.
Official estimates suggest there are more than 17,000 polar bears in Canada, about two-thirds of the estimated world population.
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