Polar bears are apex predators, and we must remember that we are in their habitat when in the Arctic. There have been instances of polar bears attacking people, but this must be viewed in perspective. These animals will only attack if they feel threatened, are hungry, or are protecting their young.
Climate change is altering the habitat of bears, making it harder for them to find food. More and more, they are going to places where humans are found. With the increase in human activity and shrinking habitat for bears, the likelihood of encounters increases.
We avoid direct encounters with bears as a first priority and always check our landing sites before bringing passengers to shore. During our operations, we seek to view bears safely from the ship or our Zodiacs. Please check out our polar bear safety video for more details.