A tourist in Norway’s Arctic archipelago of Svalbard has waken up a sleeping polar bear with a ship’s horn. Authorities said the individual was fined $5,255 after intentionally sounding a foghorn at a polar bear resting on shore, causing the animal to wake up and move.
The incident took place near Lomfjorden in Svalbard, a remote Arctic region about 620 miles from the North Pole. Other people aboard the vessel reported the incident to authorities.
“The action was done intentionally, which means that the person violated the Svalbard Environmental Act” according to a statement released by the Governor of Svalbard.
The Arctic archipelago is home to hundreds of polar bears, often called the “King of the Arctic.” Strict rules are designed to protect the animals and other wildlife, including walruses, whales, reindeer and Arctic foxes.
