After a bear came into Rankin Inlet and several sightings have been reported around the community this summer, the Kangiqliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization (KHTO) has hired four bear monitors on day and night shifts for the next two weeks.

SA国际影视传媒淎s far as right now, that same polar bear hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been spotted yet,SA国际影视传媒� said Andre Aokout, manager of the KHTO, about the bear that came right into town on July 20. SA国际影视传媒淲e do have two bear monitors on the road right now for the day, then we have two more for the night crew.SA国际影视传媒�

He said that a few bears have been spotted in the last several weeks, and another different bear SA国际影视传媒� much plumper than the one that frightened locals SA国际影视传媒� came just on the outskirts of town on July 21.

SA国际影视传媒淩ankin doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 usually have a lot of bears during the summers, but this year happened to have quite a bit,SA国际影视传媒� said Aokout.

The four bear monitors will be patrolling the town and cabin areas to make sure there are no bears around. Aokout said they could be extended beyond the two weeks, if need be.

SA国际影视传媒淚f itSA国际影视传媒檚 a dangerous, aggressive bear, it will be shot down,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut if itSA国际影视传媒檚 not dangerous or not coming into town, if itSA国际影视传媒檚 going on the outskirts and going by, the bear monitors will chase it out, make sure it goes down the coast or continue on whichever way it was going.SA国际影视传媒�

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 what happened with the plump July 21 bear, which was chased by one of the monitors in the direction of Diane River. Aokout said the predator had been eating some caribou carcasses.

The KHTO has also given the authority to shoot the bear that came into town July 20, though as of July 22, it hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 been spotted again since that evening. Aokout admitted it may be questionable to know which bear is which, but that the one that came into town was SA国际影视传媒渄irty, skinny and (has) patchy fur,SA国际影视传媒� and photo comparisons could prove if itSA国际影视传媒檚 sighted again.

SA国际影视传媒淟ast sighting of it, it was heading north, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 out of town range, somewhere in the cabins or following caribou carcasses that it finds along the way,SA国际影视传媒� said Aokout.

The KHTO is ordering 300 bear bangers for community members to use for protection at their cabins or out on the land and while berry picking this summer.

Aokout said the influx of bears is not just affecting Rankin Inlet, but Arviat, Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet too.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 rare for the bears to come right up the inlet here. We do have odd bears that come up but this year is quite a bit reports of polar bears on both sides of our bay,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

He advises residents to stay safe, keep a lookout and keep children close.