LARGE ANIMAL ATTACKS - Medicine for Mountaineering and Other Wilderness Activities - page 463

Individualsinpolarbearcountrymuststayalert.Seeingbearsbeforetheyareaproblem
decreases chances of a dangerous encounter. Humans should always travel in groups of at
least four people and should stay together to increase their safety. As in brown bear territ-
ory, travelers should make noise as they move along to communicate their presence. They
should only travel in daylight and must be aware of their surroundings. Polar bears may
be hard to see, and scanning with binoculars at regular intervals is advisable. Areas of re-
stricted visibility, pushed-up sea ice, boulders, driftwood, or vegetation should be avoided.
Tracks, droppings, and diggings should be carefully sought as warning signs.
Bears should never be approached. They defend their space and may consider humans a
threat. Bears should never be fed. A bear that associates humans with food is dangerous. A
wildlife carcass should never be approached because a bear may be in the area.
Camping on beaches and along coastlines should be avoided. Polar bears often travel
along coastlines using points of land and rocky islets near the coast to navigate. Narrow
valleys and passes that may be used by bears to cross peninsulas and to move from one
valley to another should be avoided. Camps should be inland on high ground with a good
view of the surroundings. Bear tracks should be sought before camp is established, and the
camp should be moved if a bear is in the area.
Cooking and cleaning gear—including stoves, pots, stored food, food scraps and
garbage,andtheclothesthatarewornforcooking—aswellasanyscentedproductsshould
bestoredatleast100metersfromthesleepingarea.Bearproofcanistersorairtightcontain-
ers should be used for storage.
Feces should be packed out or buried under rocks away from trails, at least 100 meters
from camp (and away from all water sources). All used toilet paper and feminine hygiene
products should be placed in a sealed bag with the garbage, all of which should be packed
out. Packaging should not be burned because lingering food odors may attract bears. Any
spilled food should be picked up from cooking and eating areas.
Camping, cooking, storage, and human waste areas should be positioned so that a clear
escape route from a bear is available.
Campers should never sleep in the open without a tent, should never bring strong-
smelling foods or scented products of any kind into a tent, and should never cook or store
food or scented products in a tent.
Dealing with Encounters with Polar Bears
Polar bears are curious and may investigate any strange object, smell, or noise. Indi-
viduals who are objects of such curiosity should stay calm and assess the situation. Each
encounterwithapolarbearisunique.Goodjudgment,commonsense,andfamiliarity with
polar bear behavior are important.
A bear who knows a human is present may shows signs of curiosity, such as moving
slowly with frequent stops, standing on hind legs and sniffing the air, holding its head high