Lost polar bear shot dead by police in Iceland: protected species not seen for 8 years

L’ours polaire a été abattu par la police locale MAXPPP – Philippe Clément

A polar bear that strayed near a coastal town in northwestern Iceland was shot dead on Thursday evening, September 19, as a safety precaution, local police said.

In a rare occurrence in Iceland, a polar bear was spotted late in the afternoon on Thursday, September 19, about forty kilometers from the city of Ísafjörður by the owner of a summer residence who saw the animal near her house, the Westfjords police said on Facebook. A coastguard helicopter and a rescue boat were mobilized by the police after consultation with the Icelandic Environment Agency.

“The intention is to ensure the safety of people who may be in the area. “Residents in the area are encouraged to stay indoors and stay safe until further notice,” police said. A few hours later, the stranded polar bear was euthanized by police and the coast guard.