A worker at a remote radar station on Brevoort Island, Nunavut, Canada, was fatally attacked last week by two polar bears. The victim, an employee of Nasittuq Corporation, was stationed at the North Warning System site when the attack took place on Thursday. Nasittuq Corporation, which manages the radar facilities in northern Canada, confirmed the death in a news release on Friday.
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Following the attack, Nasittuq employees responded to the scene, and one of the polar bears was killed. The company has not disclosed specific details about the circumstances of the attack, nor have they released the victim’s name, citing respect for the family’s privacy. Nasittuq is working closely with local authorities, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to thoroughly investigate the incident.
The North Warning System, where the attack occurred, is a network of long-range radar stations that provide crucial surveillance for North American airspace. It is operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and spans the Arctic regions of the United States and Canada.
Polar bear attacks on humans are rare, but this incident marks the second fatal attack since 2023. In a previous incident, a polar bear in Alaska killed a woman and her infant son, highlighting the potential dangers posed by these powerful predators. According to a study published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin, polar bears are more likely to attack humans when they are nutritionally stressed or in poor physical condition. Historically, there have been 73 confirmed polar bear attacks from 1870 to 2014 across five countries bordering the Arctic Ocean, resulting in 20 fatalities.
Nasittuq Corporation has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their employee and is providing support to the victim’s family during this difficult time. The company is also offering counseling services to all employees affected by the tragedy. Nasittuq emphasized that the safety and well-being of its employees are its highest priority, and it remains committed to ensuring a safe working environment at its facilities.
