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Polar bear schoolboy death: Inquest told bear 'probably stressed' Horatio Chapple death: Polar bear 'probably stressed'
(35 minutes later)
A polar bear that mauled a boy had worn-down teeth which would have made it behave "aggressively and unpredictably", an inquest has heard.A polar bear that mauled a boy had worn-down teeth which would have made it behave "aggressively and unpredictably", an inquest has heard.
Horatio Chapple, 17, from Salisbury, was on an adventure holiday in August 2011 with the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) when he died.Horatio Chapple, 17, from Salisbury, was on an adventure holiday in August 2011 with the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) when he died.
The court was told the pain suffered by the bear would have influenced its behaviour and increased its stress.The court was told the pain suffered by the bear would have influenced its behaviour and increased its stress.
The Eton schoolboy was asleep in his tent when the bear dragged him out.The Eton schoolboy was asleep in his tent when the bear dragged him out.
Horatio suffered fatal injuries in the attack in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard. Four others were hurt before the polar bear was shot dead. Horatio suffered fatal injuries to his head and upper body in the attack in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard.
The court was told a post mortem examination of the bear found that it suffered from worn-down teeth, a cavity in one, swollen and red gums and peritonitis in several teeth. Four others were seriously hurt before the animal was shot dead by one of the group leaders.
The injured men included trip leaders Michael Reid, 29, from Plymouth and Andrew Ruck, 27, from Brighton but who now lives in Edinburgh. Trip members Patrick Flinders, 17, from Jersey, and 16-year-old Scott Bennell-Smith from Cornwall, were also hurt in the attack.
The court was told a post-mortem examination of the bear found it suffered from worn-down teeth, a cavity in one, swollen and red gums, and peritonitis in several teeth.
Tests on the bear estimated it to be 24 years old.Tests on the bear estimated it to be 24 years old.
The court was told the fatality rate for bears in Svalbard was high after 15 years, very high after 20 years and that it was "rare" for a polar bear to reach 25 years.The court was told the fatality rate for bears in Svalbard was high after 15 years, very high after 20 years and that it was "rare" for a polar bear to reach 25 years.
An independent report produced by High Court judge Sir David Steel on behalf of BSES, also said the bear was "seriously underweight" at about 250 kg (551lbs) rather than the typical 400 kg (882lbs).
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.