Rare polar bear shot dead by police in Iceland after being thought a threat

The polar bear spotted in Iceland posed a significant threat to a local woman, leading police to make the difficult decision to shoot the animal after consulting environmental authorities.

The bear had been rummaging through garbage near a summer home, which alarmed its elderly occupant, highlighting the potential dangers of polar bear sightings in areas where they are not native.

An increasing number of hungry polar bears, driven ashore by melting ice due to global warming, poses greater risks for human interactions, as the bear shot in Iceland exemplifies.

Despite the rarity of polar bear attacks, the situation underscores the complexities of wildlife conservation, especially for a species that is typically protected but can threaten human safety.

Read at www.theguardian.com