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Inuit Knowledge & Climate Change: Abraham Ulayuruluk of Igloolik on The Polar Bear

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22 November 2010

7471 views

Abraham Ulayuruluk of Igloolik speaks about changes in polar bear behaviour.  "In the past, polar bears weren't around that much. Once in a while, they would come from the floating ice, and we would catch them.  Back then, in summer time, when someone got a bear, they were all healthy and fat. I confronted the bear biologist in town because they're tampering with the bears and now the bear is not like it used to be. They are no longer scared of humans. Because of research the behaviour of the bear is different now. They used to run away from humans. Now, they're no longer scared, and they approach you."

 

English Transcript:

In the past, polar bears weren't around that much. Once in a while, they would come from the floating ice, and we would catch them.

Back then, in summer time, when someone got a bear, they were all healthy and fat. I confronted the bear biologist in town because they're tampering with the bears and now the bear is not like it used to be. They are no longer scared of humans. Because of research the behaviour of the bear is different now. They used to run away from humans. Now, they're no longer scared, and they approach you.

Those bears that are close to humans must be hunted. This ensures that bears don't get used to humans and act confrontational, while making them healthier.

Now, they're getting drugged and put to sleep. They put tags in their ears and this must be affecting their hearing. Because of this, the bears are getting skinny, and they're not afraid of humans. I believe polar bear problems are caused by Southerners. Even if there's no ice, I know nothing will happen to the bear. That's what I know.

 

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