While polar bears are a protected species in Iceland and it's forbidden to kill one at sea, they can be killed if they pose a threat to humans.

A rare polar bear that was spotted outside a cottage in a remote village in Iceland was shot by police after being considered a threat, authorities said Friday.

Although it appeared in sparsely populated areas, the decision to shoot it was made immediately out of fear of the threat it posed. A polar bear emerged in Iceland, where this species is practically non-existent.

In a rare and alarming incident, a polar bear was spotted in Iceland after an eight-year absence, prompting immediate action from local authorities. The bear was found near a summer cottage in the Westfjords region,