Today’s news / Polar bear shot near playing children in Greenland
A polar bear photographed in 2016 in southeastern Greenland, where this year there are seen "almost exaggeratedly" many polar bears. This is what Jack Nathansen from the Greenland Police tells the media KNR. Photo: Thomas W. Johansen/Nasa Oceans M/Reuters

Polar bear shot near playing children in Greenland

A polar bear was shot near a group of children playing in Ittoqqortoormiit, Southeast Greenland. Greenland Police and the Department of Fishing and Hunting were informed. The bear had been close to homes and had been spotted in the area for a few days. Police ruled out criminal intent, considering it a matter of self-defense. Greenland has seen an unusual increase in polar bear sightings, attributed to large sea ice extents. Local politicians argue for increasing the annual polar bear hunting quota due to the proximity of bears to inhabited areas. Currently, hunters in East and South Greenland can harvest 64 bears, with specific quotas for different regions. Calls have been made to raise the quota, which was quickly reached in some areas this year, to benefit hunters and their families.