On social media, many viewers were stunned after tragedy struck following the viral video showcasing a heartwarming polar bear-dog interaction.
A sled dog was killed by a polar bear at the Mile 5 Dog Sanctuary in Churchill, Manitoba.
This incident occurred just days after a viral video captured a heartwarming interaction between a polar bear and a dog at the same location.
The sanctuary, known for its rare sled dogs, quickly became the center of attention for a different reason.
Viral video shows unlikely bond between polar bear and dog
The video, filmed by David De Meulles, showed a polar bear gently petting a chained dog.
In the clip, the enormous bear initially towers over the dog, then tenderly pats it on the head with its paw.
The dog, lying placidly at the bear’s feet, barely reacts to this unexpected gesture. The bear continues to sniff and gently pet the dog, appearing surprisingly calm and friendly.
“I had no idea what was going to happen,” De Meulles said. “But then, sure enough, he started petting the dog like a friend.” The video quickly went viral, with viewers captivated by the bear’s seemingly affectionate behavior.
Fatal attack raises questions about sanctuary’s practices
Days after the video gained widespread attention, the mood at the sanctuary changed. Charlie Ladoon, the sanctuary’s owner, confirmed that a polar bear attacked and killed one of his sled dogs.
Conservation officers were called to remove three polar bears from the area following the incident.
Ladoon admitted that on the night of the attack, the bears had not been fed. “That was the only night we didn’t put anything out,” he said.
Under Manitoba’s Endangered Species and Ecosystem Act, feeding polar bears is illegal. However, Ladoon acknowledged that he “takes care” of the bears, despite the risks involved.
Expert criticism over dog safety
Ian Stirling, an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, commented on the incident, stressing the risks of keeping the dogs chained.
“The dog was chained up and totally vulnerable,” Stirling explained. He noted that chaining makes dogs defenseless against predators.
According to Stirling, hunters in the high Arctic advise against chaining guard dogs. They believe it makes the dogs more vulnerable and less likely to bark.
A heartwarming interaction between a polar bear and a dog
The now-viral video was filmed by De Meulles, who was guiding tourists on a polar bear viewing trip when they encountered Ladoon’s chained sled dogs.
He described the scene as surreal, with the bear gently interacting with the dog.
“I’ve seen friendly behavior between bears and dogs before,” he said. “But to see a bear petting a dog like a human would is just mind-blowing.”
In the footage, the bear’s massive frame looms over the dog before it slowly lowers its paw.
The bear pets the dog’s head, and the dog, slightly irritated, eventually stands up and starts to walk away. The bear, still entangled in the dog’s chain, backs off as well.
“It was a beautiful sight to see,” said De Meulles. “I just can’t believe an animal that big would show that kind of heart toward another animal.”
Sanctuary’s unique sled dogs and their cold resistance
Ladoon’s dogs are a rare breed of sled dogs, specially bred to withstand extreme cold.
According to Ladoon, the chilly environment is like a “paradise” for these dogs.
They rarely face trouble from predators, though there have been occasional attacks by wolves.
He added that the “primitive and fearless” nature of the dogs usually keeps polar bears at bay.
The tragic death of the sled dog has cast a shadow over the sanctuary, where just days earlier, a viral video had charmed viewers worldwide.
The incident has raised concerns about the sanctuary’s practices. Many are especially worried about the risks of leaving dogs chained in an area frequented by polar bears.
While the heartwarming video showed a rare moment of peaceful interaction, the reality of wildlife behavior cannot be overlooked.
This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife, even in moments of unexpected tenderness.
