Polar bear attack rocks tourist camping trip
Sveasletta, Norway - A vacationer was attacked by a wild polar bear while camping in Norway, leading to injury and fatal consequences.
Beware of the bear!
The frightening incident occurred Monday morning at about 8:30 AM, according to the area's chief superintendent Stein Olav Bredli.
As per reports, the woman was part of a 25-member tour group that wanted to explore the beauty of Norway’s remote Svalbard Islands.
Disaster struck when the bear approached the group, catching the French woman by the arm.
Her injuries are not said to be life-threatening, and she was flown by helicopter and treated at a nearby hospital.
Yet, things did not fair well for the animal.
Polar bear attacks have been seen in the area over the years
Officials were quickly called to the scene of the attack.
"Shots were fired at the polar bear, which was scared away from the area," Bredli said.
The bear was later found injured, and was subsequently killed by authorities.
Polar bear attacks on humans are rare but they do occur.
Authorities encourage visitors to the islands to carry firearms if they are sleeping outside. Around 1,000 polar bears are thoughts to inhabit Norway.
At least six people have been killed by bears in the area since the 1970s.
The region is about 1,200 miles from the mainland of Norway, and attracts wealthy tourists from all over the world each year.
Cover photo: Collage: Olivier MORIN & Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP