A woman and a boy were attacked and killed by a polar bear in the town of Wales, Alaska on Tuesday, authorities said.
The animal reportedly attacked and chased “multiple residents” at around 2:30 p.m. in the remote village in western Seward Peninsula.
“Initial reports indicate that a polar bear had entered the community and had chased multiple residents,” Alaska State Troopers said.
“The bear fatally attacked an adult female and a juvenile male.”
The bear was shot dead by a resident while attacking the victims. Geoff York, a senior director of conservation at Polar Bears International, said that the attack was “extraordinarily rare.”
“I definitely want to emphasize just how rare this attack is. Most polar bear attacks happen during ice-free season when it's warmer and when there's less seas ice.”
“That's when we've historically seen more issues between humans and bears. To have a fatal encounter in January, in northern Alaska, is extraordinarily rare.”
