Neiels Christensen
Northern News Services

Lake Harbour (Sep 08/03) - Kootoo Shaw is one lucky man, and he is the first to admit it.

Early Sept. 2, Shaw was attacked by a polar bear and is currently recovering at Baffin Regional Hospital in Iqaluit.

His head is wrapped in bandages and his back is covered with bruises, claw and teeth marks.

His scalp was torn to shreds and more than 300 stitches were required to patch him up.

"Before I could get away I had to put everything (his scalp) back in place," Shaw told News/North days after the attack. "I couldn't see anything because skin was covering my eyes.

"I thought I was going to die. All I could think about was my wife and my three boys.

"I feel very lucky right now."

Shaw was guiding a group of American hunters 45 minutes outside of Kimmirut when he was mauled by the bear.

"We didn't know there was a polar bear in the area," he said. "He just suddenly appeared in our camp."

Shaw said the bear first approached the tent the Americans were camping in and tore through it.

It then headed for the tent Shaw was staying in.

"He started ripping through and we managed to get out through the door," Shaw said.

The hunting guide started to run and was chased by the bear, which was about seven feet tall. Shaw then tripped on a rock and the bear pounced on him.

"His claws started digging into my skin and he was biting my head," he said.

"He jumped up and down on me four times breaking my ribs."

One of the Americans was able to shoot the bear and kill it before it was able to do any more damage to Shaw.

The hunters transported Shaw to the nursing station in Kimmirut.

It took two hours to get there.

"We had to drive slow because every bump hurt," said Shaw, who was medevaced to Iqaluit soon after.

On Thursday, the three hunters who were with Shaw came to visit him at the hospital. "They were happy to see that I was OK," he said. "It was nice of them to come and see me."

Shaw has still managed to keep his humour throughout the ordeal.

Despite the attack, he still wants to continue guiding people through the North.