Objective-5 Final Technical Papers

A primary goal of the Polar Bear Range States is to ensure the safe coexistence of polar bears and people in the face of accelerating climate change. Although the risk of a polar bear attack remains relatively low, the number of attacks has increased in recent years.
Therefore, individuals who live, work, or recreate in the Arctic need reliable information regarding human-polar bear interactions. In accordance with Action #58 in the Circumpolar Action Plan (i.e., Action # HBC-A7 in revised CAP in 2020), the Range States’ Polar Bear Conflict Working Group (CWG) reviewed existing polar bear safety messages and determined that a more accurate and focused message was needed.
Consequently, the CWG developed the polar bear safety messages below to be used by those who disseminate polar bear safety guidance in the Arctic. These core messages are based on the best scientific information and professional expertise available.
Users are encouraged to supplement these messages with additional safety information as necessary for their specific jurisdiction, target audience, or situation. Generally, it should be noted that concise messages are easier to understand and remember in a stressful interaction with a polar bear.

Purpose:
Objective 5 in the Range States Circumpolar Action Plan is intended to manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to minimize polar bear injury or mortality (PBRS 2015). This summary focuses on action HBC-IS3: Collaborate and share information on applied research and testing of new deterrent tools (i.e., drones, olfactory, electric fences) on wild and captive bears.

Site-specific human-polar bear safety and conflict mitigation plans are an important tool for those working or living in polar bear habitat. Conflict mitigation plans are recommended whenever there is the potential for people to come into contact with bears, and they can be tailored for use by communities, temporary work or research camps, and permanent work sites. Conflict mitigation plans are intended to 1) minimize the occurrence of human-polar bear interactions; 2) reduce potential impacts to polar bears; 3) decrease the severity of human-polar bear interactions; and 4) minimize the potential for injury or death to people and bears. Implementation of conflict mitigation plans can help minimize the frequency and consequences of human-polar bear interactions. Effective conflict mitigation plans consider preventative measures for avoiding interactions with bears (e.g., attractants management), tools for detecting bears near communities or work sites, and protocols for responding to interactions if they occur. This template includes components to be considered when drafting site-specific conflict mitigation plans. Example interaction may be provided upon request to the Heads of Delegation (https://polarbearagreement.org/index.php/contactinformation/).

The work was conducted in association with Objective 5 in the Range States Circumpolar Action Plan is intended to manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to minimize polar bear injury or mortality (PBRS 2015). The template is part of Action HBC-A8: Develop a template for site-specific, jurisdictional (e.g. community, military site, industrial site, etc.) conflict management plans and standardized training protocols.