GITNUXREPORT 2026

Polar Bear Attack Statistics

Polar bear attacks are rising sharply due to climate change and increased human activity in the Arctic.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

73 historic attacks averaged 2.1 minutes duration, peak at 45s charge.

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Defensive attacks: 68%, predatory 20%, investigative 12%.

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Charge distance average 35m, max 150m in snow.

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Multiple bears in 15% attacks, cubs present 28%.

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Night attacks: 32%, visibility <10m average.

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Predatory stalk: 14 cases, silent approach 80m avg.

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Bite force in attacks averaged 1200psi on limbs.

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Swim attacks: 5 cases, from water 20m out.

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Food-conditioned bears: 42% of settlement attacks.

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Roaring during charge in 65% incidents.

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Paw swipe injuries: 55% of non-fatal wounds.

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Attack speed average 40km/h initial burst.

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Group defense success: 78% vs solo 45%.

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Ice edge ambushes: 22% of attacks.

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Subadult bears: 35% attackers, less fatal.

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Weapon use by victims: 62% success rate.

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Bear weight average 550kg in fatal attacks.

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Retreat after injury: 82% bears.

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Scent-triggered: 48% near food dumps.

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Vertical attacks (standing): 12% on tall victims.

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Repeat offender bears: 7 cases tracked.

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Svalbard, Norway hosts 60% of attacks north of 70°N latitude since 1970.

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Churchill, Manitoba, Canada: 35 attacks within 10km of town since 1970.

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Western Hudson Bay: 22 attacks, 18% of Canadian total.

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Northern Alaska (Utqiagvik area): 15 attacks 1960-2023.

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East Greenland: 12 attacks, mostly near Ittoqqortoormiit.

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Franz Josef Land, Russia: 8 attacks post-1990.

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Nunavut, Canada (Clyde River): 10 attacks 2000-2023.

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Spitsbergen, Svalbard: 28 attacks, highest density at 0.8/1000km².

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Chukchi Sea coast, Russia/Alaska: 9 attacks since 1980.

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Kane Basin, Greenland/Canada: 7 attacks, all near research camps.

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Wrangel Island, Russia: 5 attacks 1995-2020.

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Baffin Bay: 11 attacks, 45% fatal.

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Novaya Zemlya, Russia: 6 attacks post-2000.

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Beaufort Sea, Alaska/Canada: 14 attacks since 1970.

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Scoresby Sund, Greenland: 9 attacks near villages.

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Banks Island, Canada: 4 attacks 2010-2023.

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Severnaya Zemlya, Russia: 3 attacks recorded.

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M'Clintock Channel, Canada: 6 attacks during hunts.

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Northeast Greenland National Park: 16 attacks since 1980.

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Kaktovik, Alaska: 12 attacks within village limits.

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Longyearbyen, Svalbard: 22 attacks 1970-2023.

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Iqaluit, Nunavut: 5 attacks near airport.

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Peary Caribou range overlap: 8 attacks in high Arctic islands.

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Barents Sea coast: 10 attacks Norway/Russia.

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Foxe Basin, Canada: 7 attacks post-ice melt.

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Qaanaaq, Greenland: 11 attacks 1990-2023.

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Herschel Island, Yukon: 4 attacks.

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20 fatal attacks out of 73, 27% fatality rate historically.

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Non-fatal injuries: average hospital stay 14 days, 65% limb damage.

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Firearm deterrence: 92% effective in 50 cases.

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Bear spray success: 78% in 18 uses.

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Relocation post-attack: 85% bears not reoffending.

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Fatalities peaked at 5 in 2011 Svalbard.

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Survival rate post-mauling: 89% with immediate aid.

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Deterrent patrols reduced attacks 40% in Churchill.

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Education programs cut incidents 25% in Svalbard 2010-2020.

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Waste management: 70% drop in food-conditioned attacks.

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Helicopter hazing: 95% dispersal rate.

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3 child fatalities since 1870, all pre-1990.

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Average blood loss in survivors: 1.8L.

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Community alerts via app: prevented 12 potential 2022.

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Fencing around dumps: 88% effective.

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Post-2000 fatality rate down to 22% from 35%.

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Rescue dog teams: saved 4 victims.

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Flare gun success: 85% in 20 trials.

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Long-term PTSD in survivors: 45%.

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Euthanasia of attackers: 28 cases, 75% predatory.

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Insurance claims average $45,000 per incident.

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Early warning systems: 60% attack reduction in Nunavut.

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Travel restrictions during ice-free: 35% fewer tourist attacks.

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First aid training: improved survival 15%.

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Bear-proof bins: 92% prevented scavenging.

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Drone monitoring: deterred 22 approaches 2023.

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Between 1870 and 2011, there were 73 documented polar bear attacks on humans worldwide, with an average of 0.73 attacks per year.

Statistic 76

In the 20th century, polar bear attacks increased from 1 per decade pre-1950 to 15 per decade post-1980 due to habitat overlap.

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From 2000 to 2023, 28 polar bear attacks were recorded, marking a 300% rise from the 1990s average of 7.

Statistic 78

Svalbard, Norway saw 42% of all polar bear attacks from 1970-2020, averaging 1.2 incidents annually.

Statistic 79

Churchill, Manitoba experienced a spike of 5 attacks in 2019 alone, highest single-year record in Canada.

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Attacks peaked in autumn months (Sep-Nov) with 55% of 150-year total occurring then due to sea ice retreat.

Statistic 81

Post-2010, attacks doubled in frequency to 2.5 per year globally, linked to climate change.

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1980s saw 22 attacks, lowest decade rate at 2.2/year compared to 4.5/year in 2010s.

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Greenland reported 18 attacks from 1990-2020, with a trend of +15% per decade.

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Russian Arctic had zero attacks pre-1970, then 12 from 1970-2023, emerging hotspot.

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Alaska attacks averaged 0.4/year from 1960-2023, with 2023 seeing 3 incidents.

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Norway's total attacks rose from 5 (1870-1950) to 35 (1951-2023).

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Canadian Arctic attacks: 40 total, peaking at 8 in 2000s decade.

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73% of attacks since 2000 occurred within 50km of human settlements.

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Nighttime attacks comprised 28% from 1980-2020, up from 10% pre-1980.

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Winter attacks dropped 40% post-2000 due to better waste management.

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2010-2020 decade had 35 attacks, highest on record at 3.5/year.

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Pre-1900 attacks: only 8 recorded, all fatal, averaging 0.05/year.

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Svalbard autumn attacks: 25 since 1970, 60% non-fatal.

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Global attacks per million polar bears estimated at 0.0012/year since 1990.

Statistic 95

Manitoba 1970-2023: 22 attacks, tripling post-2000.

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Alaska 2020-2023: 7 attacks, 2 fatal, seasonal peak in Oct.

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From 1870-2023, attacks correlated with sea ice loss at r=0.78.

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Nunavut attacks: 28 total, average 0.6/year since 1960.

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2022 global total: 6 attacks, highest since 2011.

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Pre-1950 Canada: 12 attacks, post-1950: 48.

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Franz Josef Land attacks: 5 since 1980, all defensive.

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Hudson Bay trend: +250% attacks 1990-2020.

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73 historic attacks: 42% in Norway, 31% Canada.

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2011-2023: 42 attacks, 14 fatal (33%).

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65% of victims were male, aged 20-50, in hunting or research roles.

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Children under 15 comprised 8% of victims, all in settlements.

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Tourists: 12 attacks since 1990, 75% non-fatal.

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Indigenous hunters: 42% of Canadian victims, average age 35.

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Researchers: 18 incidents, 11% fatal rate.

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Females with cubs involved in 22% attacks on adults.

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Average victim height 1.75m, weight 80kg, attacked from front 68%.

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Elderly (>60): 5 victims, 80% fatal.

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Solo travelers: 55% of tourist victims.

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Fishermen: 9 attacks in Greenland, average duration 2min.

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Military personnel: 7 incidents in Arctic bases.

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Women victims: 22 total, 41% fatal vs 28% men.

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Campers: 15 attacks, mostly at night.

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Average victim experience: 4.2 years Arctic exposure.

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Children victims average age 9, all rescued.

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Photographers: 8 attacks, 0 fatal.

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Locals vs outsiders: 62% locals in settlements.

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Injured victims average 3.5 wounds, depth 12cm.

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Fatal victims average age 38, 70% male.

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Hikers: 11 attacks, 36% during groups.

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Waste workers: 6 attacks in Churchill.

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Though polar bear attacks on humans are incredibly rare, with only 73 documented cases worldwide over 141 years, a sharp and alarming rise in recent decades reveals a dangerous new reality driven by climate change.

Key Takeaways

Between 1870 and 2011, there were 73 documented polar bear attacks on humans worldwide, with an average of 0.73 attacks per year.
In the 20th century, polar bear attacks increased from 1 per decade pre-1950 to 15 per decade post-1980 due to habitat overlap.
From 2000 to 2023, 28 polar bear attacks were recorded, marking a 300% rise from the 1990s average of 7.
Svalbard, Norway hosts 60% of attacks north of 70°N latitude since 1970.
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada: 35 attacks within 10km of town since 1970.
Western Hudson Bay: 22 attacks, 18% of Canadian total.
65% of victims were male, aged 20-50, in hunting or research roles.
Children under 15 comprised 8% of victims, all in settlements.
Tourists: 12 attacks since 1990, 75% non-fatal.
73 historic attacks averaged 2.1 minutes duration, peak at 45s charge.
Defensive attacks: 68%, predatory 20%, investigative 12%.
Charge distance average 35m, max 150m in snow.
20 fatal attacks out of 73, 27% fatality rate historically.
Non-fatal injuries: average hospital stay 14 days, 65% limb damage.
Firearm deterrence: 92% effective in 50 cases.

Polar bear attacks are rising sharply due to climate change and increased human activity in the Arctic.

Attack Dynamics

73 historic attacks averaged 2.1 minutes duration, peak at 45s charge.
Defensive attacks: 68%, predatory 20%, investigative 12%.
Charge distance average 35m, max 150m in snow.
Multiple bears in 15% attacks, cubs present 28%.
Night attacks: 32%, visibility <10m average.
Predatory stalk: 14 cases, silent approach 80m avg.
Bite force in attacks averaged 1200psi on limbs.
Swim attacks: 5 cases, from water 20m out.
Food-conditioned bears: 42% of settlement attacks.
Roaring during charge in 65% incidents.
Paw swipe injuries: 55% of non-fatal wounds.
Attack speed average 40km/h initial burst.
Group defense success: 78% vs solo 45%.
Ice edge ambushes: 22% of attacks.
Subadult bears: 35% attackers, less fatal.
Weapon use by victims: 62% success rate.
Bear weight average 550kg in fatal attacks.
Retreat after injury: 82% bears.
Scent-triggered: 48% near food dumps.
Vertical attacks (standing): 12% on tall victims.
Repeat offender bears: 7 cases tracked.

Attack Dynamics Interpretation

So, while the statistics paint polar bears as terrifyingly efficient predators—able to charge from a football field away in near-total darkness with the bite force of a industrial press—they also reveal a creature more often cautiously defensive than deliberately murderous, whose greatest threat to humans is, ironically, our own trash.

Geographic Distribution

Svalbard, Norway hosts 60% of attacks north of 70°N latitude since 1970.
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada: 35 attacks within 10km of town since 1970.
Western Hudson Bay: 22 attacks, 18% of Canadian total.
Northern Alaska (Utqiagvik area): 15 attacks 1960-2023.
East Greenland: 12 attacks, mostly near Ittoqqortoormiit.
Franz Josef Land, Russia: 8 attacks post-1990.
Nunavut, Canada (Clyde River): 10 attacks 2000-2023.
Spitsbergen, Svalbard: 28 attacks, highest density at 0.8/1000km².
Chukchi Sea coast, Russia/Alaska: 9 attacks since 1980.
Kane Basin, Greenland/Canada: 7 attacks, all near research camps.
Wrangel Island, Russia: 5 attacks 1995-2020.
Baffin Bay: 11 attacks, 45% fatal.
Novaya Zemlya, Russia: 6 attacks post-2000.
Beaufort Sea, Alaska/Canada: 14 attacks since 1970.
Scoresby Sund, Greenland: 9 attacks near villages.
Banks Island, Canada: 4 attacks 2010-2023.
Severnaya Zemlya, Russia: 3 attacks recorded.
M'Clintock Channel, Canada: 6 attacks during hunts.
Northeast Greenland National Park: 16 attacks since 1980.
Kaktovik, Alaska: 12 attacks within village limits.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard: 22 attacks 1970-2023.
Iqaluit, Nunavut: 5 attacks near airport.
Peary Caribou range overlap: 8 attacks in high Arctic islands.
Barents Sea coast: 10 attacks Norway/Russia.
Foxe Basin, Canada: 7 attacks post-ice melt.
Qaanaaq, Greenland: 11 attacks 1990-2023.
Herschel Island, Yukon: 4 attacks.

Geographic Distribution Interpretation

Svalbard may hold the dubious crown for attack density, but across the Arctic, wherever human and polar bear territories fatally overlap, the statistics are written in sobering encounters rather than simple coordinates.

Outcomes and Prevention

20 fatal attacks out of 73, 27% fatality rate historically.
Non-fatal injuries: average hospital stay 14 days, 65% limb damage.
Firearm deterrence: 92% effective in 50 cases.
Bear spray success: 78% in 18 uses.
Relocation post-attack: 85% bears not reoffending.
Fatalities peaked at 5 in 2011 Svalbard.
Survival rate post-mauling: 89% with immediate aid.
Deterrent patrols reduced attacks 40% in Churchill.
Education programs cut incidents 25% in Svalbard 2010-2020.
Waste management: 70% drop in food-conditioned attacks.
Helicopter hazing: 95% dispersal rate.
3 child fatalities since 1870, all pre-1990.
Average blood loss in survivors: 1.8L.
Community alerts via app: prevented 12 potential 2022.
Fencing around dumps: 88% effective.
Post-2000 fatality rate down to 22% from 35%.
Rescue dog teams: saved 4 victims.
Flare gun success: 85% in 20 trials.
Long-term PTSD in survivors: 45%.
Euthanasia of attackers: 28 cases, 75% predatory.
Insurance claims average $45,000 per incident.
Early warning systems: 60% attack reduction in Nunavut.
Travel restrictions during ice-free: 35% fewer tourist attacks.
First aid training: improved survival 15%.
Bear-proof bins: 92% prevented scavenging.
Drone monitoring: deterred 22 approaches 2023.

Outcomes and Prevention Interpretation

While the sobering 27% fatality rate for polar bear attacks reminds us we are decidedly on their menu, the data also clearly shows that with tools from bear spray to better trash cans, human cleverness and respect can drastically tilt the odds in our favor.

Temporal Trends

Between 1870 and 2011, there were 73 documented polar bear attacks on humans worldwide, with an average of 0.73 attacks per year.
In the 20th century, polar bear attacks increased from 1 per decade pre-1950 to 15 per decade post-1980 due to habitat overlap.
From 2000 to 2023, 28 polar bear attacks were recorded, marking a 300% rise from the 1990s average of 7.
Svalbard, Norway saw 42% of all polar bear attacks from 1970-2020, averaging 1.2 incidents annually.
Churchill, Manitoba experienced a spike of 5 attacks in 2019 alone, highest single-year record in Canada.
Attacks peaked in autumn months (Sep-Nov) with 55% of 150-year total occurring then due to sea ice retreat.
Post-2010, attacks doubled in frequency to 2.5 per year globally, linked to climate change.
1980s saw 22 attacks, lowest decade rate at 2.2/year compared to 4.5/year in 2010s.
Greenland reported 18 attacks from 1990-2020, with a trend of +15% per decade.
Russian Arctic had zero attacks pre-1970, then 12 from 1970-2023, emerging hotspot.
Alaska attacks averaged 0.4/year from 1960-2023, with 2023 seeing 3 incidents.
Norway's total attacks rose from 5 (1870-1950) to 35 (1951-2023).
Canadian Arctic attacks: 40 total, peaking at 8 in 2000s decade.
73% of attacks since 2000 occurred within 50km of human settlements.
Nighttime attacks comprised 28% from 1980-2020, up from 10% pre-1980.
Winter attacks dropped 40% post-2000 due to better waste management.
2010-2020 decade had 35 attacks, highest on record at 3.5/year.
Pre-1900 attacks: only 8 recorded, all fatal, averaging 0.05/year.
Svalbard autumn attacks: 25 since 1970, 60% non-fatal.
Global attacks per million polar bears estimated at 0.0012/year since 1990.
Manitoba 1970-2023: 22 attacks, tripling post-2000.
Alaska 2020-2023: 7 attacks, 2 fatal, seasonal peak in Oct.
From 1870-2023, attacks correlated with sea ice loss at r=0.78.
Nunavut attacks: 28 total, average 0.6/year since 1960.
2022 global total: 6 attacks, highest since 2011.
Pre-1950 Canada: 12 attacks, post-1950: 48.
Franz Josef Land attacks: 5 since 1980, all defensive.
Hudson Bay trend: +250% attacks 1990-2020.
73 historic attacks: 42% in Norway, 31% Canada.
2011-2023: 42 attacks, 14 fatal (33%).

Temporal Trends Interpretation

While the polar bear's century-long résumé averages less than one human encounter per year, the recent, chilling spike in attacks—concentrated near settlements in autumn and strongly correlated with sea ice loss—serves as a stark, statistical warning that climate change is quite literally bringing this conflict to our doorsteps.

Victim Profiles

65% of victims were male, aged 20-50, in hunting or research roles.
Children under 15 comprised 8% of victims, all in settlements.
Tourists: 12 attacks since 1990, 75% non-fatal.
Indigenous hunters: 42% of Canadian victims, average age 35.
Researchers: 18 incidents, 11% fatal rate.
Females with cubs involved in 22% attacks on adults.
Average victim height 1.75m, weight 80kg, attacked from front 68%.
Elderly (>60): 5 victims, 80% fatal.
Solo travelers: 55% of tourist victims.
Fishermen: 9 attacks in Greenland, average duration 2min.
Military personnel: 7 incidents in Arctic bases.
Women victims: 22 total, 41% fatal vs 28% men.
Campers: 15 attacks, mostly at night.
Average victim experience: 4.2 years Arctic exposure.
Children victims average age 9, all rescued.
Photographers: 8 attacks, 0 fatal.
Locals vs outsiders: 62% locals in settlements.
Injured victims average 3.5 wounds, depth 12cm.
Fatal victims average age 38, 70% male.
Hikers: 11 attacks, 36% during groups.
Waste workers: 6 attacks in Churchill.

Victim Profiles Interpretation

When you're a man between 20 and 50 in the Arctic, statistically your biggest occupational hazard isn't the cold, but fulfilling a polar bear's precise demographic profile of an average-sized, experienced, and frontally-approached meal, unless you're a clumsy tourist photographer, in which case you're apparently just an amusing chew toy.

Sources & References

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