Polar bear kills mother and child in Alaska

A polar bear that had been stalking residents in the remote community of Wales, Alaska, killed a mother and her one-year-old son, according to police. The bear was subsequently shot by another resident.

Summer Myomick, 24 years old, was identified as the adult woman. Her one-year-old son Clyde Ongtowasruk was also killed in the attack. According to a report by the Alaska State Troopers the next of kin were notified.

Extremely rare attacks by polar bears

According to a Wildlife Society study from 2017, polar bear attacks on humans are extremely rare. Between 1870 and 2014, there were 73 documented attacks, resulting in 20 fatalities and 63 injuries.

Climate change alters behaviour

The melting of ice as a consequence of climate change has led to altered bear behaviour and increased the likelihood of encounters with humans. Due to earlier melting and later freezing, bears are spending more time on land.

The last attack, according to Reuters, occurred in 2013. There has been no fatal attack since the early 1980s. More on the topic of Wildlife.

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