Alaska Native village seeks community-led polar bear tourism comeback

A small Indigenous village in Alaska wants to reclaim its status as a top spot for polar bear tourism.

Before the pandemic, visitors flocked to Kaktovik to see polar bears waiting for sea ice to form.

Tourism in the village just off Alaska's northern coast was paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then because of concerns that tourism impacted the community and affected bear behavior.

Now, local leaders are working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address these issues and revive the industry.

They aim to ensure tourism benefits the community without harm.