July 7, 2016

Polar bear at EastGRIP

Closeup of the polar bear near the cargo line.


Pre daily July 7th 16:10(L)

We have a polar bear wandering round the camp at EGRIP. We are all safe in the Dome and keeping watch at all time. We are in touvh with the Greenland authorities on the situation.
Just to let you knew we are safe - and have the situation under control.

FL, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen.



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Update July 7th 23:45(L): We have had a polar bear wandering round the camp at EGRIP. To ensure the safety of the team and following approval from the Greenland authorities, we had to shoot the bear. The bear is dead and everybody is safe in the dome. The team in camp needs rest now and more news will be issued tomorrow.
In case of urgent inquiries, please contact the Field Operation Manager's Office in Kangerlussuaq (please remember the time zone: UTC-2).



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Polar bear at EGRIP

Polar bear at EGRIP.


In the morning a polar bear approached the EGRIP camp. All 16 gathered in the strong main Dome and we managed to scare the bear away. The polar bear, however, settled 1 km from camp and observed the camp until 22:00.
Approaching again, we had to shoot the beautiful bear with the permission of the Greenland Authorities, as the hungry bear, 400 km from the coast could not be scared away from camp. All in camp have handled the situation admirable and we have kept safety high for all.
There has only been two incidents of polar bears in deep ice camps: 1984 a polar bear was at Dye3 and in 1958 at Jarl Jouzet near the summit of the Greenland ice sheet.

What have we done today:

  1. Spent the day in the Dome
  2. Kept a watch in the top office in the Dome
  3. Contacted the Greenland Authorities on polar bear procedures
  4. Had to shoot the bear close to midnight
  5. Slept in the main Dome

Weather today: Clear sky and sun all day. Temperature -10°C last night increasing to -5°C during the afternoon and dropping to -17°C during the evening. Wind 5-10 kt from SW all day and night.

FL, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen