Human-Wildlife Conflict: Tension Between Polar Bears and Humans in Canada and the Arctic Intensifies

Polar bears and humans are involved in an increasing inter-species conflict in the town of Churchill, Canada, and the Arctic. This updated findings are according to a new study, wherein scientists said the human-wildlife conflict is a result of climate change the rise of human populations in polar bear habitats.

The research acknowledged while the issue has long been known for a long time already, there is only a relatively few scientific literature about it. As a result, awareness about the issue has been advocated as the conflict is expected to get worse; which is in parallel with the ongoing climate crisis and expansion of human settlements.   

In recent decades, both anecdotal and scientific evidence show the continued melting of glaciers, ice sheets, and other icy structures both on Earth's polar regions due to global warming. The gradual natural phenomenon has led to habitat loss for polar bears, forcing them to migrate to the mainland and closer to human communities.

Polar Bear Conservation Threat

The new research was published in the journal Oryx on July 20 and it focused on the emerging threat facing polar bear conservation, primarily due to anthropogenic food or man-made processed food. The Arctic bears are said be at risk since they are exposed to various health hazards from eating such types of food.

In particular, the animals' access to garbage dumps yield to the consumption of contaminated food and toxic substances. Regardless of the content, the polar bears are attracted to its smell, bringing them closer to town, according to Dr. Martyn Obbard, from the Ontario Natural Resources and Forestry Ministry, as cited by CTV News.

In a macro point of view, the immediate issue is being caused by early ice melting during the summer and its late formation in the fall. In this context, the polar bears are spending more time on land. Increasing their chance of having conflict with humans, Obbard explains.

Also Read: Hope For the Species: Despite Lack of Sea Ice, Polar Bear Population Found Thriving

Public Awareness

The study discovered that the polar bears die in various forms as a result of eating human garbage. There are instances where some of the animals were found to have their stomachs filled with plastic bags.

On the other hand, there are cases where they also ingest toxic materials like batteries.

Obbard adds their paper is intended to raise awareness to governments and take action about the about the issue at hand, as cited by the Canadian television network.

The non-profit organization Polar Bears International have also been engaged in protecting both polar bear and human population, especially in Churchill.

The organization emphasized on the importance of waste management, placing emphasis on food waste, where the polar bears are attracted to. In addition, a successful management of this waste could reduce the conflict between polar bears and humans, particularly those living in the northern communities.

The said conflict in the Canadian town and the icy region is only one of the myriad cases of the increasing encounter between animals and humans worldwide.

Related Article: Polar and Grizzly Bears May One Day Evolve into New Species as Climate Change Intensifies