A polar bear attack in Spitsbergen on a Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
shore excursion over the weekend left the bear dead and the company issuing an
apologetic statement.
A crewman attacked by the bear suffered head injuries but was
responsive after the attack and was airlifted to a medical facility. He is "out
of danger, with no threat to life," a statement said.
Not so the bear. "In an act of self-defense,
unfortunately, it was necessary for the polar bear to be shot dead," the Hapag-Lloyd
statement said. "We very much regret this incident. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is
very aware of its responsibility when travelling in environmentally-sensitive
areas and respects all nature and wildlife."
The Hapag-Lloyd account said that a party of four guards
from the Bremen had landed and was scouting the site for safety in preparation
for passenger arrivals when one of the guards was attacked by a bear that had
not been spotted.
"As the attempts of the other guards to evict the
animal, unfortunately, were not successful, there had to be intervention for
reasons of self-defense and to protect the life of the attacked person,"
Hapag-Lloyd said.
The cruise line was blasted for the episode on social media.
"If you don't want to be complicit in the shooting of polar bears don't
cruise with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises," said one Twitter poster on Sunday.
"Trouble is as long as tourists demand their photo op
whims & cruise operators such as Hapag-Lloyd Cruises are willing to cash in
to provide a "service" regardless of consequences to wildlife there's
this risk, never mind the general environmental damage they do," said
another.
In its statement, the company said, "Hapag-Lloyd
Cruises has been traveling to these destinations for many years with an
experienced crew. The cruise operator is respected in the destinations as a
responsible partner and the experts actively inform the guests about the
appropriate behavior required in these areas. We are extremely sorry that this
incident has happened."