Updated on Feb. 18 at 5:55 p.m. ET
People in trucks and on snowmobiles were on the lookout for a polar bear in Iqaluit late Wednesday afternoon after the Government of Nunavut reported one had been sighted in the city’s plateau area.
Residents were advised to exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings in a GN news release issued just after 3:30 p.m.
By about 4:30 p.m., drivers in about a dozen pickup trucks as well as two on snowmobiles and carrying rifles were seen driving around the plateau area.
One man on a snowmobile, who declined to be identified, said he was patrolling to make sure no children were outside in the area where the bear was seen.
Two white GN vehicles were also nearby, though it wasn’t clear if they were wildlife officers.
At the same time, residents were seen out walking in the city, either unaware of or unconcerned by the reported polar bear sighting.
In the release, the GN advised anyone who sees a bear or evidence of a bear to contact the wildlife office at 867-975-7780 or 867-222-1555.
Polar bear sightings in Iqaluit are rare.
In 2016, one was spotted and ultimately killed by wildlife officers near an Iqaluit campground. And in 2019, the City of Iqaluit issued a warning after a reported sighting, though wildlife officers were unable to confirm the presence of a bear.
With files from Daron Letts
Note: This story was updated to include further information on patrols in the city
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