When Polar Bears Attack

Explorer regales schoolkids with tales

Having the chance to explore the beautifully desolate world of the polar ice caps would make anyone feel a surge of excitement.

But would that excitement last after surviving a polar bear attack?

Polar explorer, Jim Mayer experienced just that but has not let it diminish his love of adventure. Adept at speaking about his experience, he mesmerised Welsh school children recently with his tales.

The 37-year-old from Penarth was visiting Spitsbergen just outside the Norwegian arctic circle when he had an encounter with the huge white bear. Despite setting up trip flares at his camp to fend off any inquisitive polar bears he still had a near-miss attack.

As he was sleeping, Mayer heard footsteps outside his tent and felt the canvas push inwards.  He and his friend managed to push back and frighten off the bear. Luckily it ran away before it could do any real damage to him or his camp.

Polar bear attacks can be vicious and sometimes deadly as they are believed to be the most predatory of modern bears and attacks on humans can often be fatal.

Polar bears see everything that moves or has colour as potential food, and therefore, attacks appear seemingly unprovoked.

Mayer’s experience has not deterred him from exploring and he runs the company Polar People which organises tailor-made trips to the Arctic and Antarctic. He is currently planning a trip to find narwhals in Arctic Canada.

You can visit Mayer's website at: www.thepolarpeople.co.uk