Denali in Alaska. Yellowstone. Svalbard in Norway. Stokes in New Jersey. Wait, one of those doesn't sound quite so exotic or remote. Yet all are locations of recent bear attacks (or, at least, alleged bear attacks). The truth is, when we venture into the domain of some of the most powerful predators (who are actually omnivores), we have to accept that an encounter with a Black, Grizzly or Polar bear may not end favourably for us.
It is a shame that lives have been lost, on both sides. As hikers, campers and picnickers, we need to follow the advice and rules of those who have experience. Keep your food out of your tent. Ladies, if it is that time of the month, stay off the trails and out of the woods. Make noise. As for Polar bears, cute as they may seem, humans are as easy a meal as a seal (maybe easier), so be forewarned and armed. A polar bear has no conviction or fear in hunting humans. They are the pinnacle predator of the Arctic north, as much as the Great White is the top predator of the sea.
As "civilisation" encroaches upon the habitat of the Ursids, we can be assured of further deadly encounters, which, of course, will be hopelessly sensationalised in the media. I can't wait for the new Syfy movie, Bearwolf, about a pack of mutant bears, created by a cynical scientist, terrorizing a major metropolitan area, like Burlington, Vermont or Aberdeen, Scotland (more shock value if set in Scotland, I think). Of course, the cast will include an attractive female park ranger/zoologist/reporter and the handsome police officer/soldier/drifter/custodian who together will save the day and fall in love. And the scientist will end up, finally realizing his mistake, as human steak tartar. Oh, I forgot the super-genius kid who will keep needing to be saved because he/she doesn't understand the word "obedience."
Yeah, that's it. That's the ticket.
