Polar bear shot dead after attacking cruise line guard
Digital Reporter
Sunday, July 29, 2018, 6:19 PM - A polar bear, which Norwegian authorities say attacked and injured a cruise ship employee, was shot dead on Saturday 'in an act of self-defence.'
In a Facebook post the German-based Hapag-Llyod Cruises said one of their polar bear guards suffered head injuries after being attacked on land in Spitsbergen by the animal.
"He is out of danger, with no threat to life," the post reads. "In an act of self-defence, unfortunately, it was necessary for the polar bear to be shot dead."
WARNING: Image below may be disturbing to some viewers
The company, which operates the MS Bremen, added that they regret the incident and are aware of "its responsibility when travelling in environmentally-sensitive areas and respects all nature and wildlife."
According to Hapag-Llyod Cruises, the incident occurred when the four-person polar bear guard team was preparing for a shore leave.
"One of the guards was unexpectedly attacked by a polar bear that had not been spotted and he was unable to react himself," the company said on Facebook. "As the attempts of the other guards to evict the animal, unfortunately, were not successful, there had to be intervention for reasons of self-defense and to protect the life of the attacked person."
A polar bear, which Norwegian authorities said attacked and injured a cruise ship employee who was leading tourists off a cruise ship on an Arctic archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is seen after being shot dead by another employee according to the cruise company, in Svalbard, July 28, 2018. Gustav Busch Arntsen/Governor of Svalbard/NTB Scanpix/via REUTERS
Spitsbergen is an Arctic archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole.
"Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has worked comprehensively and co-operatively with the Norwegian authorities to reconstruct and clarify the incident on the ground and will continue to do so," the company added.
It's mandatory that cruise ships travelling in the northern region have polar bear guards on board. The company says they travel with an "experienced crew" and have been to these destinations many times.
"The cruise operator is respected in the destinations as a responsible partner and the experts actively inform the guests about the appropriate behavior required in these areas. We are extremely sorry that this incident has happened."
SOURCE: Hapag-Llyod Cruises
