Rampaging polar bear kills woman and boy ‘after chasing residents’ in Wales

Rampaging polar bear kills woman and boy ‘after chasing residents’ in Wales



A rampaging polar bear has attacked and killed two people in the village of Wales, Alaska.

The horrifying incident was initially reported to authorities at around 2.30pm (local time) on Tuesday (January 17), Alaska State Troopers said.

Authorities confirmed that the beast killed a woman and a boy after entering the village and running after residents.

Their names and ages have not be released and it is unclear whether they were related to each other.

Alaska State Troopers said: “Initial reports indicate that a polar bear had entered the community and had chased multiple residents.

Wales is located close to the westernmost point of America, just across the Bering Straight from Russia (Image: Wikipedia)
Wales is located close to the westernmost point of America, just across the Bering Straight from Russia (Image: Wikipedia)

The polar bear was shot and killed by a resident of Wales as it was attacking the pair.

Troopers were unable to respond to the scene as severe weather blocked entry to the village. Troopers and the state Department of Fish and Game are planning to travel there when they can.

Officials added that they are working on notifying the victims’ relatives.

Wales is located close to the westernmost point of America, just across the Bering Straight from Russia.

The US Geological Survey found that the risk of polar bear attacks has increased in recent years in Alaska (stock) (Image: Getty Images)
The US Geological Survey found that the risk of polar bear attacks has increased in recent years in Alaska (stock) (Image: Getty Images)

Most of the town’s 150 inhabitants are Iñupiat people, a group of Alaska natives.

Fatal polar bear attacks have been rare throughout Alaska’s history.

According to the Anchorage Daily News, a man in a village even further north than Wales was killed by one in 1990.

In 2019, the US Geological Survey found that the risk of polar bear attacks has increased in recent years due to changes in sea ice habitat coinciding with them being more inclined to live on solid land.

This article by Ethan Blackshaw was first published by The Daily Star on 18 January 2023. Lead Image: The polar was killed by a member of the public, authorities said (stock) (Image: Getty Images).


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