Rare Polar Bear Sighting in Alaska

There are three different species of bear found in Alaska--Black, Grizzly, and Polar. Polar bears are certainly the most rare. Most Alaskans will never see a Polar bear in the wild. They usually congregate on sea ice in the far north. 

In the town of Kotzebue, residents got a close up view of a Polar bear this month. Likely sea ice receded and the bear got stuck on land. Polar bears can be dangerous to humans as they are very curious and will sometimes approach humans. Other bears tend to run away when they see humans. 

The curious bear eventually moved out of town by swimming up Kotzebue sound and heading north. A few residents got to snap some photos at a safe distance.

Photo: Lt. Scott Kellerman, U.S. Coast Guard 

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