A Close Call with a Polar Bear
In my 30+ years as a wildlife cameraman, I’ve had my share of thrilling moments.
But nothing quite prepared me for the time I came face to face with a polar bear in the Arctic. I remember thinking, “Hey, bear,” like it was just another magical moment in the wild.
But this was no ordinary encounter.
There it was—just a few paces away, standing on its hind legs.
The bear’s nose looked like a lump of coal, its eyes were dark as jet, and it was sizing me up.
This massive female was hungry, and from the way she was sniffing the air, I realized she was trying to figure out if I was lunch.
As I watched, I realized that the bear’s sense of smell was far more advanced than mine, and she was planning her move just as she would with a seal.
But I wasn’t a seal.
I was the target.
The Reality of Being a Wildlife Cameraman
Over the years, I’ve been on countless shoots, documenting dangerous animals for BBC documentaries.
I’ve had my share of close calls—charged by tigers, a black bear, and even chased by elephants. But those were mostly showy acts of aggression, designed to intimidate and make me back off.
They weren’t actual threats.
Polar bears, however, are a different story.
They are one of the few predators that sometimes see humans as prey.
And that’s why, when filming the series The Polar Bear Family And Me, we made sure to have a failsafe plan.
We called it the “Ice Cube.”
The Ice Cube: Our Safety Plan
The Ice Cube was a Perspex box with aluminum edges, designed to keep me safe while I filmed.
It was sturdy enough to withstand the force of even the strongest polar bear, or so we hoped.
The idea was simple: I’d sit inside, use a long lens to keep a safe distance, and film the polar bears without disturbing their natural behavior.
But even with all our precautions, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.
The Ice Cube was towed out across the sea ice, and I kept imagining worst-case scenarios.
If it tipped over, I’d be trapped inside, drowning in freezing water. I also wondered if the Perspex would crack under the cold and the pressure of a bear’s attack.
The Bear’s Unexpected Move
Our plan was to wait near a seal’s breathing hole, hoping a polar bear would show up.
But when the bear arrived, she ignored the hole entirely and went straight for me.
She was coming for the Ice Cube, and it was clear this wasn’t going to be a simple wildlife observation.
The bear began her assault, pounding on the Ice Cube with her paws.
I couldn’t help but check the door, making sure it was securely locked.
Her breath fogged up the Perspex, and with each blow, the Cube rocked back and forth. But it held.
She wasn’t giving up.
The bear climbed onto her hind legs, towering over me at nearly 7 feet tall and weighing around 500 kg.
She scratched at the roof of the Ice Cube, looking for any weakness.
I could see her claws trying to pry it open, and I couldn’t help but feel the power of this creature up close.
A Terrifying Battle of Strength
The bear kept at it, clawing and gnawing at the Perspex. I couldn’t believe how strong she was.
Even when our crew had tested the material with a sledgehammer, it hadn’t budged. But now, this bear was putting everything she had into breaking through.
Minutes felt like hours.
As I filmed, I tried to stay calm.
But deep down, I knew how close I was to disaster.
The bear’s best chance at breaking into the Cube was to put all her weight on top of it, just like she would when breaking into a seal’s den.
Sure enough, she did exactly that.
For a few tense moments, it seemed like the Ice Cube might finally give way.
But then, as suddenly as it started, the bear stopped.
She had exhausted herself.
Despite my scent and her hunger, she realized it wasn’t worth the energy to keep going. She wandered off, giving me one last look before disappearing into the Arctic wilderness.
Reflections on the Experience
That close encounter with the polar bear has stuck with me.
It was a reminder of just how powerful these creatures are and how fragile our survival can be in the wild.
Despite my fear, I had to keep filming. Focusing on my job and continuing to speak into the camera actually helped me stay calm and avoid the instinct to panic.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was.
If the bear had managed to break through, I wouldn’t be here to tell the story.
It was a terrifying experience, one I wouldn’t want to repeat, but it also gave me a profound appreciation for the raw power of nature.
If you’re interested in reading more about my experiences in the wild, you can find the full story in my book In The Hide: How The Natural World Saved My Life.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn