Polar bears capture our imagination unlike any other Arctic animal. Their imposing size and power is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. But how friendly are these icons of the north? If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: no, polar bears are not friendly to humans and will attack given the chance.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover whether polar bears are objectively friendly and what that means, examine if they can be friendly towards humans, look at their behavior to determine how aggressive they are, and provide tips on staying safe around them.
An Objective Look at Whether Polar Bears are Friendly
Defining ‘Friendly’ Animal Behavior
When considering whether an animal like the polar bear can be described as ‘friendly,’ it is important to first define what constitutes friendly behavior. In the animal kingdom, creatures are primarily driven by instinct and the need to survive.
So an animal that seems ‘friendly’ may not actually have friendly intentions.
Truly friendly behavior requires an intentional effort by the animal to socially interact and form a positive bond with others, especially unrelated members of another species like humans. It goes beyond simple tolerance or lack of aggression.
Some examples of friendly animal actions are initiating play and exhibiting affection.
So in judging if polar bears are friendly, we need to look at their natural social structures and typical responses to human interactions. The metric can’t be whether they attack and kill humans – that is just natural predatory behavior, not proof they are unfriendly.
Polar Bear Social Structures and Behavior
Polar bears are considered solitary creatures for most of the year, coming together only briefly for breeding season. Male and female adult polar bears actively avoid each other outside of mating. They establish distinct home ranges but are not territorial.
Their social structure is best classified as “associative.”
This means polar bears do not form lasting social bonds or exhibit cooperative group behaviors. However, this does not necessarily mean they can’t show friendly actions on an individual level. For example, polar bear cubs remain with their mothers for extended periods, learning survival skills like hunting.
During this time the mother-cub bond seems to exhibit genuine care and affection.
But overall, polar bears follow their instinct and are mostly concerned with finding food. They are apex predators and quite aggressive when seals or other prey is near. So within their own species, extended friendly behavior is uncommon outside of mothers with cubs.
Reactions to Humans and Other Animals
Polar bears today have increased exposure to humans due to climate change reducing Arctic sea ice. Unfortunately, initial curiosity can lead to attacks, treated as predatory events by the bears. According to the Polar Bear Specialist Group, between 1870-2014 there were 73 fatal polar bear attacks on humans across the Arctic.
However, some individual bears seem more playful and less aggressive around humans. For example, a polar bear in the Hudson Bay area named “Storm” was known for gently playing with sled dogs and even napping near people.
But these interactions depend greatly on the bear’s age, health, prior contacts with people, etc.
There are also occasional reports of polar bears in zoos exhibiting sweet, “friendly” gestures like hugging or “kissing” handlers, though their motivations are not fully understood. Overall though, most evidence suggests polar bears are not intrinsically friendly toward humans in the typical meaning of the word.
In the end, judging wild animals on human standards of “friendliness” has limits. Polar bears are complex creatures driven by basic needs like hunger and mating. While they do not exhibit consistent friendly behavior, neither do they seem to act with inherent malice.
They are best appreciated when experienced from a respectful distance in their natural habitat!
Polar Bear Aggression and Attacks
Hunting and Feeding Behaviors
Polar bears are carnivorous predators that primarily hunt seals. They have excellent sense of smell that allows them to detect seals from over a kilometer away. Polar bears often patiently wait beside breathing holes in the ice for seals to surface.
When a seal comes up for air, the bear will strike quickly to grab it with its sharp claws and powerful jaws.
Polar bears may also stalk seals on the ice or chase them into the water for the kill. Their huge paws help them swim efficiently after prey. Though seals make up most of their diet, polar bears will eat other animals when necessary, including walruses, beluga whales, rodents, birds, reindeer, fish, eggs, vegetation, human garbage and even dolphins.
They are true opportunistic predators.
Circumstances That Lead to Attacks
Polar bears rarely attack humans. However, as climate change causes sea ice to melt earlier in the year, polar bears are forced to spend more time on land where they may encounter humans. Hungry bears with limited access to their normal food sources are more likely to take risky measures for sustenance.
Other high risk circumstances include:
- A female bear defending her cubs
- Bears startled at close range, especially if wounded
- Hungry bears attracted to human food, trash or other smells
- Bears encountering humans in remote locations with no escape route
Predatory attacks are very rare. Most attacks occur because the bear feels threatened and acts defensively. However, any bear that begins to see humans as prey is an extremely dangerous situation requiring immediate action from wildlife officials.
Attack Frequency and Fatalities
Polar bear attacks on humans are infrequent. According to a study published in Wildlife Society Bulletin in 2012, there were only 73 reported polar bear attacks between 1870 and 2014 across the polar bear’s entire range, resulting in 20 human fatalities.
For comparison, dogs kill 20-30 people every year in the United States alone.
However, attack frequency does appear to be increasing along with the effects of climate change. For example, in Churchill, Manitoba where tourists flock to see polar bears, there were 129 attacks between 1960 and 2009 but only one fatality.
The town has implemented bear alert programs and safety precautions to help reduce conflicts.
Most attacks have occurred in Alaska, Russia, Greenland, Norway and Canada, where humans and polar bears are most likely to cross paths. With ongoing sea ice decline, experts warn that both bear and human populations face increased risks.
Understanding polar bear behaviors and taking preventative measures can help limit unwelcome encounters.
Safety Tips for Areas with Polar Bears
Being Alert and Avoiding Surprises
Polar bears are powerful predators that can be dangerous if surprised. Here are some tips for staying safe:
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for bear tracks, scat, or other signs that bears may be nearby.
- Make noise as you travel to avoid surprising bears. Calling out or clanging metal can alert bears to your presence.
- Avoid areas of low visibility where bears may be hidden from view. Pay particular attention when traveling near the shoreline or through thick willows.
- Travel in groups whenever possible for added safety and more eyes to spot bears.
- Keep a clean camp. Store food properly and pack out all trash and scraps to avoid attracting curious bears.
Responding to Encounters
If you spot a polar bear, here are some tips for responding appropriately:
- Remain calm and avoid sudden movements that could be seen as threatening.
- Give the bear plenty of space, at least 100 yards. Back away slowly if it approaches.
- Get into a safe position, such as inside a vehicle, tent, or sturdy building if available.
- Group together and stand your ground if the bear follows you. Do not run.
- Make yourself look big by waving your arms or jacket. Shout firmly to scare the bear away.
- As a last resort, use bear spray or noisemakers to deter an aggressive bear.
- Fighting back is almost never an option. Playing dead can work as a last ditch effort.
Deterrents and Scaring Tactics
Traveling with deterrents can help scare bears away in close encounters:
- Bear spray contains capsaicinoids that irritate eyes and noses. When used properly at close range, sprays have proven effective in deterring even aggressive bears over 90% of the time [1].
- Flare guns or pen launchers can scare bears with noise and light. Flares are over 90% effective according to some studies [1].
- Air horns provide sudden loud noises up to 120 decibels that can startle bears. Combining noise with other deterrents is most effective.
- Bear bangers are small explosive shells that can be launched from a pen launcher to create a loud bang accompanied by a flash of light.
Remember that deterrents are only effective at short distances. Avoid surprising bears and give them space whenever possible. But carrying deterrents can provide peace of mind in bear country. Be sure you know how to use them properly before an encounter occurs.
Conclusion
To conclude, while polar bears are not driven by inherent aggression and violence, their powerful hunting skills and reactions to perceived threats mean they cannot reasonably be considered ‘friendly.’ Caution is always warranted in their territory to avoid dangerous encounters.
