Polar Bears and Safety on Svalbard
About 500 polar bears inhabit the main islands of Svalbard at any one time. Visitors travelling outside settlements are required to carry a rifle at all times for protection against polar bears.
How many bears live on the islands
Kong Karls Land is the most important polar bear breeding ground in the Svalbard area. The main islands hold about 500 bears at any one time, which is the figure used for the whole archipelago's main islands.
- About 500Polar bears on the main islands at any one time
- Around 1000Polar bears left in Svalbard by 1973
By 1973, after heavy hunting, around 1000 polar bears were left in Svalbard. Recovery began after the treaty.
Where bears can be met
Polar bears can be seen anywhere on the Svalbard islands at any time of year. Anyone leaving the Longyearbyen centre without a guide needs to take care.
Longyearbyen's settlement limits are marked with signs showing a polar bear. Visitors are advised not to go beyond those limits without a firearm.
Polar bears are frequently seen around Pyramiden. A boat safari may bring a polar bear sighting, but a sighting is not guaranteed.
Rifles and permits
Visitors travelling outside settlements must carry a rifle at all times for protection against polar bears. Rifles can be rented for about 150 kr per day and up. Renting one requires a valid Norwegian license or a European Firearms Pass.
| Rule | What the facts state |
|---|---|
| Rifle outside settlements | Required at all times for protection against polar bears |
| Rifle rental | About 150 kr per day and up |
| Papers for a rifle | A valid Norwegian license or European Firearms Pass |
| Killing a polar bear | Allowed only when there is an immediate threat to life |
| Travel beyond Longyearbyen | Requires permission from the Governor of Svalbard |
A polar bear may be killed only when there is an immediate threat to a person's life. Travelling further afield from Longyearbyen requires permission from the Governor of Svalbard.
Guides and organised trips
Organised activities with professional guides are described as a necessity for most visitors. Infrastructure is lacking on the islands.
At Pyramiden, anyone who is not in a tour group must carry a hunting rifle for protection.
Guided activities on Svalbard
Recorded attacks on the islands
Seven people have been killed by polar bears on Svalbard since 1973. The most recent death was in August 2020.
- The 2011 attack took place at a school expedition camp on Svalbard.
- In that attack, a polar bear killed one person and injured four others before being shot.
- 7Deaths from polar bear attacks on Svalbard since 1973
- 1People killed in the 2011 school expedition camp attack
Water, ice and early records
Tap water on Svalbard is drinkable. Surface water may contain tapeworm eggs and should be boiled.
Glacial ice covers about 36,502 km2, roughly 60% of Svalbard. The tallest peak in the archipelago is Newtontoppen at 1,717 metres.
Dutch mariner Willem Barentsz made the first undisputed discovery of Svalbard in 1596. The first recorded landing was in 1604, when an English ship landed at Bjørnøya and began hunting walrus.
Common questions
How many polar bears live on Svalbard?
About 500 polar bears inhabit the main islands of Svalbard at any one time.
Must visitors carry a rifle outside settlements?
Yes. Visitors travelling outside settlements are required to carry a rifle at all times for protection against polar bears.
What is needed to rent a rifle?
Rifles can be rented for about 150 kr per day and up, and a valid Norwegian license or European Firearms Pass is required.
Is a polar bear sighting certain on a boat safari?
No. Seeing a polar bear on a boat safari is possible but not guaranteed.
Who must approve travel further from Longyearbyen?
Travelling further afield from Longyearbyen requires permission from the Governor of Svalbard.
More tours near you
Related pages
- Tours
Tour listings for Svalbard
- Dog sledding and snowmobile
Guide to dog sledding and snowmobile trips
- Ice cave tours
Guide to ice cave tours