IKPIARJUK/ARCTIC BAY
Two hunters are expected to recover after a polar bear tore through their tent while they slept May 22 near Arctic Bay.

Adrian Arnauyumayuq, shown after catching his first polar bear in 2003, was injured May 22 when a polar bear attacked him and another hunter near Arctic Bay. - photo courtesy of Ron Elliott

Bruce Pauloosie and Adrian Arnauyumayuq were narwhal hunting near the floe edge near Qangiq and were awakened at around 7:30 a.m. May 22, Pauloosie’s brother Norman Pauloosie said.

“(Adrian) woke up and noticed that the polar bear was trying to get in,” Pauloosie said. “He looked for his pocket knife and he couldn’t get it. The polar bear ripped the tent and was trying to grab him.”

Arnauyumayuq tried to get his gun but couldn’t reach it as the polar bear attacked.

“The polar bear bit Adrian on the head, and Adrian was trying to hit the bear with a pocket knife,” Pauloosie said.

His brother tried to distract the bear by yelling at it, and succeeded. This caused the bear to attack Bruce instead.

“Adrian got the gun and shot once,” Pauloosie said. “The polar bear started to run away, and Adrian went after him, shooting him.”

A well-placed shot ended the attack, and Arnauyumayuq – despite his injuries – refilled his snow machine and the two headed to a cabin at Qangiq, where some women were camping, about a half -hour from the attack site.

The men were treated at the nursing station in Arctic Bay, RCMP Sgt. Yvonne Niego said. Pauloosie confirmed they were sent to Iqaluit for further treatment. Arnauyumayuq had injuries to the back of his head and body while Bruce Pauloosie had injuries on the back of his head.

The injuries were bad enough to warrant a trip to Iqaluit, but the men are expected to be OK, Pauloosie said.