by Bob Walsh
I almost didn't write this. The guy is dead. He died protecting his kids. He also may have died being stupid, or at least badly prepared.
Aaron Gibbons, 31, was prowling around Sentry Island near Arviat, near Hudson's Bay in Canada. He and his three children were looking for tern eggs. Terns are not dangerous. Polar Bears are. They are the only terrestrial 100% carnivore. They eat only meat. If it moves it is potential lunch.
It seems a bear began to stalk and possibly charge the children. He put himself between the children and the bear. He directed the children to run as fast as they could back to the boat. Gibbons was not armed. The bear killed him. The children escaped. The kids put out an emergency radio call from the boat. The RCMP showed up and a nearby civilian hunter killed the bear.
The bears no longer have a significant fear of humans or human machines, at least in this area. They don't run from snow mobiles. They hang around humans, presumably because they know that humans and food often go together. If push comes to shove humans are food if you are a polar bear.
I know a guy who goes into the NorthWest and even on occasion Alaska to fish. He does not hunt. However, he is INVARIABLY armed when in bear country. Armed with something that will do the job if it comes down to it. Bush pilots in Alaska are required by law to be armed so if they have to set down they and their clients will not necessarily be bear munchies.
Maybe I am the odd one here, but I can't IMAGINE going into an area where dangerous, aggressive carnivores hang out, especially with children, without a reasonable means to protect myself and them. Otherwise buy your damned eggs in the store.
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