Safer in polar bear areas

Polar bears are known to destroy huts or tents in search for food. In polar bear areas, camps need therefore a good protection to keep hungry bears out. Our study site in Spitsbergen is frequented by polar bears in summer. Over the past years we have favourable experience with electric fences surrounding our tents. This video shows how polar bears respond to the protected camp: (1) curious without further interest (as occurs most often), (2) coming close to the electric fence without touching, and (3) touching the fence when attempting to enter the enclosure. For adequate protection, the electric fence should be used in combination with other means to detect and scare polar bears.