London, September 22: A polar bear was shot dead by local authorities after its rare appearance in Iceland after 8 years caused the community to panic. The polar bear was spotted in a remote Icelandic village earlier this week, marking the first sighting of the species in the country since 2016. The unexpected visitor believed to have drifted from Greenland on ice floes, caused widespread panic among the local residents.

The situation escalated when Icelandic police, after consulting with the environment agency, decided to shoot the bear, citing safety concerns. "It's not something we like to do," said the police. Westfjords police chief Helgi Jensson reported that an elderly woman alone in a summer house had locked herself in fear. The rest of the village had already evacuated, and the woman contacted her daughter via satellite link for help. US Shocker: Former Florida Deputy Accidentally Shoots and Kills His Girlfriend While Cleaning His Gun, Say Officials.

Iceland Polar Bear Shot Dead After Making Rare Appearance

The deceased bear will be transported to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for further examination. Researchers plan to study the bear for parasites and infections, assess its organ health and body fat, and possibly preserve its pelt and skull for the institute's collection.

What Icelandic Laws Say About Polar Bear Killings?

Polar bears are not native to Iceland, with only 600 sightings recorded since the ninth century. Despite being a protected species, Icelandic law permits their killing if they pose a danger to people or livestock. US Shocker: Minnesota Family Infected With Brain Worms After Eating Undercooked Bear Meat.

While polar bear attacks on humans are rare, climate change is believed to be driving these animals closer to human settlements, increasing the likelihood of such encounters. A 2017 study published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin documented 73 polar bear attacks on humans across Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia, and the United States from 1870 to 2014. (With inputs from agencies)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2024 03:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).