Moment David Attenborough’s cameraman is almost mauled to death by polar bear
Moment David Attenborough’s cameraman is almost mauled to death by polar bear
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BBC cameraman, Gordon Buchanan, has revealed the terrifying moment a polar bear decided he was on the menu and launched an attack. The wildlife filmmaker has worked in the industry for over 30 years, filming much for David Attenborough’s nature documentaries.
![[Inside the ?Ice Cube? in Svalbard, 2012. From book Gordon Buchanan - In the Hide How the Natural World Saved My Life]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237163221-12a0.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Sitting inches from predators never fazed Gordon, 52, until one day when a huge polar bear decided to launch an attack on him. For the Daily Mail, Gordon recalled how she had been sniffing in his direction, eyes locked on him, preparing to pounce. ‘She wasn’t stalking a seal,’ he wrote. ‘She was stalking me. As far as she was concerned, I was lunch.’.
![[Polar bear tried to eat cameraman]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237163154-49d3.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The photographer captured shocking pictures during the attack from inside the relative safety of his metal cage, called the Ice Cube. Through the Perspex, reinforced with aluminium edges, the polar bear’s huge teeth and paws could be seen as she desperately snapped at Gordon.
![[Inside the ?Ice Cube? in Svalbard, 2012. From book Gordon Buchanan - In the Hide How the Natural World Saved My Life Must credit Jason Roberts]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237163161-5328.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Gordon continued: ‘The bear’s breath was steaming up the plastic sheet that stood between life and death. With each of her heavy blows, the cube rocked back and forth. But it held firm.’. At one point during the attack, the bear managed to pry open a gap in the ice cube, putting her nose in and then a rather sharp claw but was still unable to reach the photographer.
![[Moment David Attenborough's cameraman is almost mauled to death by polar bear]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237263131-7a94.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=634)
Other concerns such as the ice breaking and Gordon becoming trapped in the box, drowning in the Arctic waters, flashed before his eyes. However, the bear’s onslaught remained the most imminent fear as her 7ft stature and 500kg (79st) weight continued to — pardon the pun — bear down on him.
![[From book Gordon Buchanan - In the Hide How the Natural World Saved My Life]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_237163216-3f19.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
