The tragic news of a polar bear attack that killed a mother and her 1-year-old son in Wales, Alaska, this week has underscored the risks of living in close proximity to these majestic, yet dangerous, animals. Polar bear patrols have long been successful in reducing conflict between people and bears, but sometimes these measures can lapse.

While rare, encounters between polar bears and humans do happen, sometimes leading to tragic and deadly results. Different communities have different ways of dealing with such polar bear patrols; for example, some use walrus carcasses to lure the animals away, or may use beanbags or firecrackers to shoo them away. The town of Churchill, Canada, has even gone as far as to build an air-conditioned “bear jail” to help control the population.

In Wales, Alaska, the patrol program had been inactive due to a combination of factors, and authorities are now looking into what measures can be taken to prevent similar tragic incidents. While it may be impossible to completely eliminate the risks of living alongside polar bears, it is important that authorities find a way to prevent future attacks.

Polar bears are an important part of the Arctic ecosystem, and it is important that both humans and bears can coexist safely and peacefully. The recent tragedy in Wales, Alaska, is a stark reminder of the dangers that come with living near these animals and serves as a reminder to take a closer look at how we can better protect both humans and bears in the future.