WALES, Alaska (AP) — A polar bear has attacked and killed two people in a remote village in western Alaska, according to state troopers.
Alaska State Troopers said they received the report of the attack at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Wales, on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula, KTUU reported.
“Initial reports indicate that a polar bear had entered the community and had chased multiple residents,” troopers wrote. “The bear fatally attacked an adult female and juvenile male."
The bear was shot and killed by a local resident as it attacked the pair, troopers said.
The names of the the two people killed were not released. Troopers said they were working to notify family members.
Troopers and the state Department of Fish and Game are planning to travel to Wales once weather allows for it, the dispatch said.
Wales is a small, predominantly Inupiaq town of about 150 people, just over 100 miles (161 kilometers) northwest of Nome.
Fatal polar bear attacks have been rare in Alaska's recent history. In 1990, a polar bear killed a man farther north of Wales in the village of Point Lay. Biologists later said the animal showed signs of starvation, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Alaska scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey in 2019 found changes in sea ice habitat had coincided with evidence that polar bears’ use of land was increasing and that the chances of a polar bear encounter had increased.
-
Brownsburg brothers hold lemonade stand to raise money for first responders
The brothers, Austin and Logan, will donate their profits from a two-day lemonade stand to the Brownsburg Fire Territory and Brownsburg Police Department.Secret Service admits denying some requests by Trump campaign for more security
The Secret Service is now acknowledging that it denied some requests by Republican Donald Trump's campaign for more security at his events.Clark, Reese provide highlights for the WNBA All-Stars
The two WNBA rookies made life difficult for the U.S. Olympic team on Saturday night. Someday soon, the duo might be the ones providing the highlights for the red, white and blue.Police: 7 shot at large gathering in Anderson
Multiple people were shot in Anderson during a large gathering early Sunday morning, according to police. Two victims were said to be in serious condition.