Polar bears don’t often show up in Southern or Western Greenland any more, but this year has been an exception. Only yesterday, two appeared near Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. And according to Aleqa Hammond, Greenland’s former Prime Minister, that’s just been the tip of the, well, iceberg.
“There are bears everywhere in West Greenland this year,” she told ExplorersWeb. “Quite a few have been way too close to towns in South Greenland this summer, too. Several polar bears have been shot in Qaqortoq, as the bears were literally in town.”
Two polar bears even appeared on the popular 160km Arctic Circle Trail between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut. Because bears are rare in that part of the Arctic, hikers and locals don’t carry firearms.
Hammond said several hikers have canceled their plans due to the potential bear threat. Commenters on the Arctic Circle Trail’s Facebook page have warned that calling for helicopter evacuation when you merely sight a polar bear is likely not covered by your insurance.
Camp beside the Arctic Circle Trail, Greenland. It’s safe most years; less so in 2024. Photo: Ash Routen
East Greenland
East Greenland has been even richer in polar bears. Sixty-eight of them showed up earlier this summer to feast on the same whale carcass. No word on whether Matteo Della Bordella, who is in East Greenland to kayak to a big wall with three partners, has had any run-ins with polar bears.
What has caused this unusual polar bear bounty?
According to Hammond, there is a lot of pack ice this year. It travels down East Greenland and around the southern tip of Greenland and then north again with the current. Hence the bears’ presence in Qaqortoq, Nuuq, and elsewhere.
“There are many seals traveling on the ice, too,” she says. “It’s not been possible to reach South Greenland by boat for several months due to the enormous pack ice season.” The polar bears catch a ride down on the ice, following the seals.
