The Mayor Demands Higher Hunting Quota: More Polar Bears Should be Allowed to be Shot in Southern Greenland
In Southern Greenland, residents have experienced an increasing sense of insecurity due to a higher number of polar bears moving closer to urban areas and sheep pastures. Mayor of Kommune Kujalleq, Stine Egede (IA), has now urged Naalakkersuisut, the Greenlandic government, to raise the quota for how many polar bears can be shot annually.
According to Stine Egede, the presence of polar bears so close to human habitation creates anxiety among the residents. She points out that it affects both culture and self-sufficiency, as people no longer feel safe going out into nature or going on camping trips. “Residents are afraid to venture into nature, and it is no longer appealing to go camping. It would be a significant loss for the culture and self-sufficiency if camping trips and food gathering are no longer possible,” she writes in an appeal to Naalakkersuisut.
Currently, the quota for polar bear hunting in Southern Greenland is four animals per year, but this quota was already fulfilled in March. This situation has led to two potentially dangerous incidents, which were only avoided by luck, reports Stine Egede. She believes that a higher quota could reduce the risk of dangerous encounters between humans and polar bears.
Local politician Anders Olsen from Siumut (S), who is also a member of Inatsisartut (Greenland’s parliament), supports the proposal. He stated in March that the quota could be doubled or even increased to ten or twelve polar bears per year. “If the polar bear quota for Southern Greenland is at that number, it would be a great advantage for those who make a living as hunters and their families,” he said.
The polar bears, which have started to visit urban areas, are believed to be hungry, making them less cautious around humans. This changed behavior has raised concerns among both residents and politicians, who now hope that Naalakkersuisut will take action and adjust the quota to ensure the population’s safety.
The final decision on a possible increase in the quota lies with Inatsisartut, where it is up to the parliament to establish the new hunting rules.