polar or a grizzly bear?

[tali122]

which is more naturally aggressive and dangerous a polar or a grizzly bear?

[Clanad]

The notable difference is the Polar bear is a true carnivore, whereas the Grizzly bear is an omnivore. It's diet consists of grubs, berries and carrion, but can bring down elk and deer. Therefore, I think the Polar bear would more likey see you as a candidate for a smorgasbord entree' more readily than the Grizzly. Having said that, I've encountered Grizzly's while hunting here in the western U.S. and was truly amazed at how fast I could run and, in one case, shinny up a really tall tree as the result of a chance meeting... Neither would be fun to meet with only a fishing pole in ones hand...

[horsestache1]

The polar bear is much more aggressive.

[wolf63]

Clanad - I would have thought that problem with grizzlys is that they too can run fast and climb trees !

[Lonnie]

When I was in the forces, serving in Canada, we were told,
If you meet a Bruin, you'll run one way, the bear will run the other.
If you meet a Grizzly, you run one way, and just keep running, because the bear will be right behind you.

[Clanad]

At that moment, wolf63 it seemed the only appropriate thing to do. I should also mention that I don't venture into those areas of the mountains without a Smith & Wesson .357Magnum securely strapped on. In a case of kill or be killed, there's no question, but in one case, my hasty retreat down the hill was accepted by the boar, since the last I saw of him he was standing on his hind legs cheerfully waving good bye, while in the other the sow had three cubs and, apparently didn't have the wherewithal to follow me up the tree. Funny thing is, one can smell them long before one sees them. Recognizing this fact helps prepare the senses for a possible encounter... I didn't cherish my epitath possibly being "He loved nature in spite of what it did to him..."

[tigerlily11]

A friend was killed on holiday in Canada by a grizzly bear while protecting his girlfriend.
I would say Grizzlies.
But then I would imagine they have more contact with people than polars do.

[andy-hughes]

I always understood that grizzlies are territorial, and an encounter may be a matter of establishing supremacy, rather than looking for lunch. In that case, it's best to avoid eye contact, and back away slowly, indicating submission, without also inviting a chase.

[wolf63]

Clanad - you could run a health farm for us fatties. Take us for a walk in the woods and see if we can outrun a grizzly.

I actually watched a programme about them one evening and it inferred that as long as you make a noise and don't startle them or get between mummy and her cubs you should be okay.