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– It is very understandable that there are reactions now that there must be tighter measures and more vigilance around Longyearbyen after the tragic incident, says Lieutenant Governor Sølvi Elvedahl.
It has been almost two days since a man was attacked and killed by a polar bear while sleeping in a tent at a camp near the airport in Longyearbyen.
Soon after, it was also revealed that the bear that attacked was the same bear that was expelled from Hiorthhamn earlier this week.
The governor acknowledges that something must be done about polar bears that are becoming more accessible.
Photo: Vilde Kristine Malmo / NRK
The local population is heavily affected by the incident, which has now led to discussions about stricter measures.
– Should the threshold for shooting problem bears be lowered?
– It will probably be a topic. We have not reached the point where we know exactly what to do. It is not certain that this is the solution. There may be other solutions that may be relevant.
The camp where the man was killed by a polar bear is located right next to the Longyearbyen airport. No one has been killed by polar bears there before.
Photo: N. Ylvisåker / NRK Line
– I should take out polar bears
Today, most hunting is used to keep polar bears at a distance. But among Longyearbyen residents, opinions are divided on whether more should be done. Some want a 24-hour polar bear guard, while others advocate killing all bears that come near.
Svein Jonny Albrigtsen has lived in Svalbard for many years and is one of those calling for stricter measures.
– In my opinion, it should have been reopened for hunting and the polar bears that are approaching the city should be removed. Polar bears come again and again no matter how far you take them.
But not everyone agrees.
– It’s part of our society, and we just have to accept that we live in the kingdom of polar bears, says Wolfgang Lempe.
The incident on Friday night has not made him feel any more insecure, nor does he believe that stricter measures are necessary.
– If you follow the rules that are already here in Svalbard, for example, that you carry weapons outside the buildings, you will be fine. And there is no such thing as a bear problem, the question is rather how many problems do we create for he.
Svein Jonny Albrigtsen lives in Longyearbyen. He believes that the threshold for shooting polar bears should be lowered.
Photo: Vilde Kristine Malmo / NRK
– Difficult balance
At the same time that polar bears have become more accessible in recent years, the threshold for shooting polar bears has become higher, according to Norwegian Polar Institute polar bear researcher Jon Aars.
From 1999 to 2009, 26 polar bears died in an emergency or because they posed a security risk. From 2009 to 2019, 14 were shot, figures from the Governor program.
Polar bear researcher at the Norwegian Polar Institute, Jon Aars.
Photo: Vilde Kristine Malmo / NRK
– Many believe that polar bears should take precedence, that they should be protected to the best of their ability and that it should be a long way to go to shoot problem bears. Others believe that the safety of Longyearbyen residents is paramount.
He himself believes that it is a difficult exchange.
– I don’t know if there is a good objective answer. One must weigh things against each other, both safety for humans, as well as that bears should have a place to live here.
– A joint contribution
Assistant Governor Sølvi Elvedahl points out that residents must also take responsibility and precautions.
– We must all participate in a joint effort so that the bear does not attract entry into urbanized areas, for example, avoiding taking out garbage and hanging the slaughter and food outside the houses.
The investigation into the incident as of Friday night is still ongoing.
– In the last few days we have had more than enough to face what happened. But we must, in collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute and the local board, analyze whether there are measures that can be taken to improve safety.
