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Polar Bears Increasingly Thrive in the World’s Hottest Regions: A Study on Weight Gains

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Polar bears in Svalbard

Researchers Monitor Polar Bears’ Body Condition in Svalbard

John Earls, Norsk Arctic Institute

In the Svalbard archipelago of Norway, a region known for its climatic extremes, polar bears are surprisingly gaining weight despite the alarming reduction of sea ice. However, scientists warn this trend may not be sustainable.

The northern Barents Sea, located between Svalbard and Russia’s Novaya Zemlya, is warming disproportionately—seven times faster than the global average. Over the past two decades, sea ice around Svalbard has diminished, disappearing two months earlier each year. Currently, polar bears must swim over 200 kilometers between their hunting grounds and birthing caves.

<p>Despite this challenging environment, the overall size and weight of Svalbard’s polar bears has increased since 2000, presenting a puzzling contradiction. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jon-Aars-2">Jon Aars</a>, who led the research at the Norwegian Polar Institute, claims it's positive news for Svalbard. However, he cautions that areas most affected by climate change show severe decline in polar bear populations.</p>

<p>This widely dispersed solitary predator counts among its many challenges the difficulty of accurate population estimates. The numbers <a href="https://www.iucn-pbsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PBSG-Status-Criteria-and-Report_Final_2024Oct7.pdf">are declining</a> in some regions while stable or even increasing in parts of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland; for nine populations, data remains insufficient.</p>

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<p>Estimations suggest the Barents Sea bear population ranges from 1,900 to 3,600 individuals, and appears stable or potentially increasing. From 1995 onward, researchers used tranquilizers via helicopter to study 770 bears, measuring their body length and thorax circumference to approximate weight.</p>
<p>Analysis of trends demonstrated a decline in body condition until 2000, followed by a gradual increase leading up to the last assessments in 2019.</p>

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                <p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud, Norsk Arctic Institute</p>
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<p>In spring, the birth of seal pups on sea ice provides a vital food source for polar bears, allowing them to build fat reserves for the warmer months. Researchers like Earls speculate that diminishing ice may actually assist bears in hunting seals more easily.</p>
<p>With the retreating ice, bears are adapting by exploring new food sources. The approximately 250 bears remaining on Svalbard may increasingly hunt bearded and harbor seals along the coast, while thriving walrus populations might offer additional sustenance.</p>
<p>These adaptable "local bears" are now raiding nesting colonies for bird eggs and chasing reindeer, showcasing a remarkable resilience. According to researchers, such flexibility may be delaying their extinction, says <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jouke-Prop">Jouke Prop</a> of the University of Groningen.</p>
<p>"This is a desperate tribe. They're doing unique things," he notes. "While this adaptability may not apply universally, it could suffice for a while in Svalbard."</p>
<p>Although polar bears have not yet reached Svalbard's ecological limits, thanks to the prohibition of hunting since 1973, warming temperatures threaten to disrupt the delicate food chain that begins with algae on sea ice, according to Prop.</p>
<p>"Should the sea ice vanish, sustaining a significant number of polar bears will become incredibly challenging," he warns.</p>
<p>"There exists a threshold beyond which continuous sea ice loss will negatively impact polar bears in Svalbard," Aars adds.</p>

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            <h3 class="SpecialArticleUnit__Heading">Uncover the Beauty of Svalbard and Tromsø</h3>
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                <p>Embark on an adventurous journey to Norway's Arctic region. Discover the scientific marvels behind the Northern Lights, the unique Arctic ecosystem, and how humans adapt to the challenges of the Far North.</p>
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Source: www.newscientist.com

Polar Bears Are Adapting Their Genetics to Thrive in a Warming Climate

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As climate change continues to undermine the icy habitats crucial for polar bear survival, new studies indicate that these bears are swiftly altering their genetic makeup to adapt.

This species is being compelled to cope with the increasingly harsh conditions of a warming Arctic, marking what scientists believe to be the first documented instance of rising temperatures prompting genetic adaptations in a mammal.

Research conducted by the University of East Anglia in the UK revealed findings: published in Friday’s issue of the journal Mobile DNA, which offers a rare glimmer of hope for these animals.

“Polar bears are sadly projected to face extinction this century, with two-thirds of their population potentially gone by 2050,” Alice Godden, the study’s lead author, shared with NBC News.

“We believe our findings genuinely provide a flicker of hope: a chance to reduce carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, and allow bears more time to adapt to significant changes in their habitats.”

Building on previous research from the University of Washington, Godden’s team studied blood samples from polar bears in northeastern and southeastern Greenland. In the comparatively warmer southern region, genes associated with heat stress, aging, and metabolism showed different behavior compared to those in the north.

“Essentially, this indicates that various groups of bears are modifying different segments of their DNA at varying rates, with this activity seemingly linked to their specific environmental and climatic contexts,” Godden mentioned in a university press release.

He remarked that this is the first indication that a distinct population of a species has been driven to “rewrite its own DNA,” suggesting this process is a “desperate survival mechanism” against disappearing sea ice.

The Arctic Ocean has consistently recorded unusually high temperatures in recent years, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Monitoring data suggests.

Researchers assert that rising ocean temperatures are diminishing the vital sea ice foundation that bears rely on for hunting seals, leading to isolation and food shortages.

Godden explained to NBC News that the genetic changes emerged as the bears’ digestive systems adapted to food scarcity, including a lack of prey, plant life, and low-fat diets.

“Access to food poses a critical challenge for these bears everywhere, particularly in the South,” she notes. “This may indicate that their physical structure and composition are also evolving in response to warmer surroundings.”

The lead researcher stated that her team targeted the southern bear group as the region’s warmer climate provides insights into what other bear populations may experience later this century if current climate trends persist.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates around 26,000 polar bears currently exist globally. Known scientifically as Ursus maritimus, or “sea bear,” these animals are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, believed to be at “high risk of extinction in the wild.”

The research “doesn’t imply that polar bears are at a reduced risk of extinction,” Godden stated. However, she added this finding “could provide a genetic framework for how polar bears may swiftly adapt to climate change.”

Godden further urged, “We all need to take action to reduce our carbon footprint and create opportunities to protect and expand this incredible and vital species.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Growler Bears and Pizzly Bears: Insights from the Hybrid Family Drama of Polar and Grizzly Bears

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Arctic Grolar Bear

Stephen J. Kazlowski / Alamy

<p>Meet our central figure: a female polar bear. Driven southward by retreating Arctic ice, she journeyed deep into Canada's Northwest Territories. There, she encountered a pair of striking grizzly bears, and fell in love with both. From these unions, she gave birth to three daughters known as "growler bears" and a son, marking the inception of an extraordinary lineage echoing Shakespearean drama.</p>

<p>The next chapter took an unexpected turn. When one of her daughters matured, she mated with her biological father and another grizzly, her stepfather, resulting in a litter of four—siblings, children, and cousins all at once.</p>

<p>In 2006, a hunter in the Canadian Arctic produced a hybrid specimen with both polar and grizzly traits. Later genetic evaluation confirmed this was a growler, part of this emerging hybrid family. A decade later, scientists were intrigued to observe unusual behaviors among these creatures. Typically, hybrids are not fertile, yet these were. Researchers began to ponder whether this heralded a new apex predator for the Arctic. Could these hybrids exemplify resilience in the face of climate change, or signal impending ecological crises? Current studies promise further insights.</p>

<p>As global temperatures increase, the Arctic warms four times quicker than the rest of the globe, pushing polar bears (<em>Ursus maritimus</em>) south in search of sustenance. Their primary diet of fatty seals hinges on sea ice, which is disappearing rapidly, forcing them inland. They frequently encounter their brown bear relatives, the grizzly bear (<em>Ursus arctos horribilis</em>), which is edging northward. Warmer Arctic conditions enhance hunting and breeding opportunities, boosting hybrid occurrences, including growlers and "pizzly bears" (polar bear fathers and grizzly mothers). Some researchers express concern that polar genes may infiltrate grizzly populations, jeopardizing polar bear survival.</p>

<p>Yet, the discovery of the Grolar lineage hints at a more optimistic scenario: polar bears might be adapting to a rapidly changing environment. Recorded growlers exhibit traits of gray-brown polar bears, with slightly larger limbs and skulls reminiscent of grizzlies. These hybrids might exploit a broader diet on land, potentially allowing them to forage without relying on diminishing sea ice. Larissa DeSantis, a paleontologist at Vanderbilt University, notes that these adaptations could be a bittersweet necessity amid rising temperatures, as discussed in a <a href="https://www.livescience.com/pizzly-bear-hybrids-created-by-climate-crisis.html">2021 interview.</a></p>

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<h2>One Happy Family</h2>

<p>However, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12686-024-01359-1">extensive genomic research</a> presented in a recent book reveals alternative insights. In a study led by <a href="https://www.macewan.ca/academics/academic-departments/biological-sciences/our-people/profile/?profileid=millerj253">Joshua Miller</a> at MacEwan University, researchers uncovered that genetic sequences of 371 polar bears, 440 grizzlies, and the Grolar clan showed no other hybrids in nature apart from the known Grolars. The rarity of this mating pattern has led experts to conclude that hybrids may lack the essential skills required for survival in either parent's ecosystem. Recent studies corroborate that hybrids may be unfit for Arctic life, lacking polar bears' specialized "non-slip" foot structure and not fully inheriting grizzlies’ powerful forelimbs and shoulders. Essentially, Growlers and Pizzlies are suboptimal versions of both bears rather than well-adapted hybrids.</p>

<p><figure class="ArticleImage"><div class="Image__Wrapper"><img class="Image" alt="Two pizzly bears in a stream at the zoo" width="1350" height="900" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=400 400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=837 837w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1674 1674w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152243/SEI_273018522.jpg?width=2006 2006w" sizes="(min-width: 1288px) 837px, (min-width: 1024px) calc(57.5vw + 55px), (min-width: 415px) calc(100vw - 40px), calc(70vw + 74px)" loading="lazy" data-image-context="Article" data-image-id="2503195" data-caption="Pizzly bears in a German zoo, born from a polar bear father and grizzly mother in the same enclosure." data-credit="Molly Merrow"/></div><figcaption class="ArticleImageCaption" wp_automatic_readability="27"><div class="ArticleImageCaption__CaptionWrapper" wp_automatic_readability="34"><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">Pizzly Bear Born from a Polar Bear Father and Grizzly Mother</p><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Molly Merrow</p></div></figcaption></figure></p>

<p>Short-term, such hybrids may remain uncommon, with new species unlikely. However, what about the long-term evolutionary prospects for polar bears? Insights from the past might illuminate the future. The habitats of polar and brown bears once coexisted during the Pleistocene epoch, defined by recurring glaciation over the last 2.6 million years. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz discovered that brown bears currently inhabit three Alaskan islands. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23516372/">During that time, gradual male brown bear mating with local polar bear populations resulted in hybridization.</a> If this pattern recurs, the polar bear species could face extinction, leaving only grizzly bears.</p>

<p>However, the Pleistocene was characterized by gradual environmental changes and slow adaptation. Today’s climate change, driven by human activity, is happening at an unprecedented pace, potentially leading us down an alternate path. “The far more significant threat to polar bears today is the loss of ice habitat due to climate change, occurring much more swiftly than any concerns related to hybridization,” states Fiona Galbraith, a geneticist and climate change consultant currently leading a natural habitat expedition into the Canadian Arctic.</p>

<p><figure class="ArticleImage"><div class="Image__Wrapper"><img class="Image" alt="Icebergs are melting at the North Pole" width="1350" height="900" src="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg" srcset="https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=300 300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=400 400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=500 500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=600 600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=700 700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=800 800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=837 837w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=900 900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1003 1003w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1100 1100w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1200 1200w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1300 1300w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1400 1400w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1500 1500w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1600 1600w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1674 1674w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1700 1700w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1800 1800w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=1900 1900w, https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/05152237/SEI_273019037.jpg?width=2006 2006w" sizes="(min-width: 1288px) 837px, (min-width: 1024px) calc(57.5vw + 55px), (min-width: 415px) calc(100vw - 40px), calc(70vw + 74px)" loading="lazy" data-image-context="Article" data-image-id="2503193" data-caption="The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet" data-credit="Adisha Pramod/Alamy"/></div><figcaption class="ArticleImageCaption" wp_automatic_readability="26"><div class="ArticleImageCaption__CaptionWrapper" wp_automatic_readability="32"><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Title">The Arctic is Warming Four Times Faster Than the Rest of the Planet</p><p class="ArticleImageCaption__Credit">Adisha Pramod / Alamy</p></div></figcaption></figure></p>

<p>In conclusion, while the Grolar dynasty is fascinating, it serves as a harbinger of ecological distress on Earth. Similar <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10674025/">climate-induced mating</a> has been documented elsewhere, including a **bobcat-lynx hybrid** in North America and the emergence of the **coywolf**, resulting from interbreeding between coyotes and eastern wolves. Like Arctic bears, these hybrids are born from habitat disruption caused by rapidly changing environments. Their ability to adapt is situation-dependent; many hybrids struggle to thrive in new areas, often leading to biodiversity loss and eventual ecosystem collapse. "When both species fulfil similar roles in their ecosystems, increased contact and interbreeding can occur without significantly affecting ecological functions," shares <a href="https://polarbearsinternational.org/what-we-do/our-team/">John Whiteman</a> from Polar Bears International. Neglecting this could lead to dire consequences. For instance, while grizzly bears frequently leave carrion for scavengers, polar bears do not, posing hazards to food webs and disease dynamics.</p>

<p>Reflecting on our initial question about the Grolar dynasty as the next chapter in polar bear evolution, the resounding answer is a grim "no." This phenomenon showcases not adaptation but the tragic decline of a species amid drastic environmental fluctuations. However, this festive season, let’s contemplate the potential for a different outcome, where polar bear tracks continue to mark the Northern landscapes for winters yet to come. It hinges on our actions.</p>

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Source: www.newscientist.com

These Unusual “Bears” Have the Power to Halt Aging—Here’s What We’re Discovering

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Commonly referred to by fans as “water bears” or “moss pigs,” the tardigrade is arguably the cutest microscopic creature on Earth.

These tiny beings have even been sent to the International Space Station. Scientists have successfully launched them into the vacuum of space.

Remarkably, they survived for days without air, water, or any protection from intense solar radiation, showcasing their resilience. Researchers believe these little animals possess extraordinary survival capabilities.

In extreme situations, tardigrades enter a state known as cryptobiosis, essentially drying out and halting their metabolism.

Once conditions improve and water is reintroduced, they can rehydrate and start functioning again as if nothing ever happened.

Recent research has revealed new insights into these remarkable organisms. For instance, scientists have identified a protein called “DSUP” that shields their DNA from radiation, acting like molecular armor.

Researchers from the University of Stuttgart have provided evidence supporting the “sleeping beauty” hypothesis.

This theory posits that in their dormant state, tardigrades may not only pause their metabolism but also their biological clocks.

They survived for days without air, water, or protection from intense solar radiation. – Image credits: Scientific Photo Library via Sebastian Kauritzki/Getty Images

Interestingly, water bears that undergo freezing thrive for twice as long while awake compared to a control group that never sleeps.

In their natural habitats, tardigrades might only be active for a few months, yet they can enter a state of suspended animation and survive for decades.

A 2024 study focused on the recently discovered tardigrade, Hypsibius henanensis, which provided further insights.

The research revealed a gene responsible for producing betalain, which counteracts the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.

Additionally, they uncovered proteins that enhance DNA repair mechanisms. The next step is to determine whether these proteins offer protection across any of the 1,300 known tardigrade species.

This article answers the question posed by Madison Halladay: “Why are tardigrades so indestructible?”

Please email us to submit your questions Question @sciencefocus.com or Message Facebook, Twitter or Instagram Page (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Century-Old Mercury Poisoning Abandons Polar Bears

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Mercury pollution resulting from early coal burning and gold mining continues to affect Arctic wildlife over a century later. New research published in Natural Communication reveals these enduring effects.

Despite worldwide efforts to limit emissions, mercury levels in apex predators like Arctic and toothed whales remain alarmingly high. Researchers attribute this persistence to legacy contamination that travels through ocean currents to the Arctic region.

A research team has analyzed more than 700 samples collected across Greenland over the last 40 years, ranging from animal tissues to ground peat. By evaluating the chemical “fingerprints” of mercury isotopes, they discovered that mercury concentrations have not declined and, in some cases, remain elevated in Arctic ecosystems.

“This provides insight into why we haven’t seen a decrease in Arctic mercury levels,” stated Professor Runeatz, a co-author of the study. “Mercury transport from significant sources like China to Greenland can take up to 150 years.”

Mercury released into the atmosphere through human activities can circulate the globe for approximately a year before settling. However, once it enters the ocean, it may persist for centuries, gradually moving northward through deep, cold currents.

For instance, Central West Greenland is influenced by Atlantic influx via the North Atlantic Arminger current, while other areas receive mercury-laden water from the Arctic current.

Beluga-like tooth whales today have mercury concentrations up to 30 times greater than before the Industrial Revolution – Getty

Currently, mercury concentrations in polar bears and toothed whales are 20-30 times higher than pre-industrial levels.

“We don’t have evidence of actual killings of top predators,” Dietz commented. According to an email from BBC Science Focus, “However, the loads in toothed whales and polar bears, along with Inuit populations in highly exposed areas, are significant enough to indicate neurological effects.”

As a potent neurotoxin, mercury can harm immune and reproductive health. Naturally occurring elements are extremely dangerous, as noted by the World Health Organization, which lists it as “one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern.”

The findings carry significant implications for the United Nations Mamata Treaty, a global initiative aimed at decreasing mercury pollution. While reduction of emissions is crucial, the study implies that the Arctic may require generations to see recovery.

The research team will continue to explore mercury’s impact on vulnerable Arctic ecosystems. Dietz emphasizes that modeling how long mercury takes to travel from major emitters like China to various Arctic regions could be essential for understanding long-term threats.

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About our experts

Rune Deets is a professor at the Faculty of Ecoscience at Aarhus University. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Environmental Research, Molecular Ecology, and Ecology and Evolution.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Footprints of Pleistocene cave bears found in Spain

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Paleontologists have discovered ancient bear footprints in Honseca Cave in northern Spain. Distinguishing cave bear and brown bear tracks is complicated, but cave bears are thought to be most likely to leave tracks at Honseka.

Cave bear footprints in Honseca Cave, Spain. Image credit: Rodriguez others., doi: 10.1080/10420940.2024.2446153.

Cave badger (Ursus Spelaeus) was a very large bear that formed the sister lineage of extant brown bears and polar bears.

These animals lived in Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene, but went extinct about 24,000 years ago.

It measured 2.7 to 3.5 meters (8.9 to 11.5 ft) in length, up to 1.7 meters (5.6 ft) at the shoulder, and weighed 225 to 500 kg.

People may have had occasional encounters with cave bears.

Despite their name, they did not actually live in caves, only using them for hibernation.

Nitrogen isotope data from giant crushed molars and their bones indicate that cave bears were primarily herbivorous, with leaves as their staple food.

“Cave bear footprints are not uncommon in the soft sediments of caves on the Iberian Peninsula, and many speleologists are well aware of their presence,” said Dr. Ana Mateos of the Center for Human Evolution and Human Research (CENIEH). .

“However, until now these fossil traces have not been the subject of systematic study.”

“In fact, only one study of this kind has ever been carried out in Romania's Ursilor Cave.”

Cave bear restoration (Ursus Spelaeus). Image credit: Sergio de la Larosa / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Mateos and his colleagues discovered 16 cave bear footprints in Honseca Cave in Palencia, Spain.

The footprints were assigned to Ursichnus europaeus This is the first record of this species discovered in a cave on the Iberian Peninsula.

“We performed a scan of the footprint surface and its surroundings using a laser scanner that creates a three-dimensional cloud of millions of points, and combined this with a photogrammetric model.” said Dr. Adrian Martinez. CENIEH technician.

“This model has been used to take various measurements of footprints and compare them with those of other caves in Europe, such as the Ursilol Cave in Romania.”

“Furthermore, by processing the model, we were able to generate images that highlight the shape of individual footprints,” added Dr. Alfonso Benito, also from CENIEH.

“The shape of the toe impressions and the length of Urushiro's and Honseka's claw marks suggest that in both cases they belong to the cave bear, which went extinct about 28,000 years ago, rather than to brown bears.”

“Unfortunately, before scientists knew about their existence, some of the footprints were destroyed by the footprints of amateurs who had not paid attention and visited the interior of the cave,” said Jesús of CENIEH. Dr. Rodriguez said.

“Therefore, one of the goals of this type of research is to highlight the value of these fossils and promote their preservation.”

of study Published in this month's magazine Ichnos.

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J. Rodriguez others. Cave bear footprints (Ursichnus europaeus Diedrich, 2011) from Honseca Cave, Palencia, Spain. Ichnospublished online on January 9, 2025. doi: 10.1080/10420940.2024.2446153

Source: www.sci.news

The Race is On: How Scientists are Using Drones to Track Grizzly Bears

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TThe first time Terry Vandenbos saw a bear run away from a drone was on a spring day two years ago when he was chasing a bear himself. After seeing a grizzly bear cross a road near his property, a Montana rancher hopped in his all-terrain vehicle and planned to chase it away from his cattle if necessary.

However, when the bear was still far away from him, he began to sprint as fast as he could, looking over his shoulder, and Vandenbos also looked up. A small drone was chasing the bear overhead, its four propellers emitting a high-pitched whine as it flew toward a nearby lake.

“I don’t think I need to be here,” Vandenbos remembers thinking. He drove home. The bear never touched the cow.


At the other end of the drone was Wesley Sarmento, a grizzly bear management specialist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP). For the past six years, he has been testing various non-lethal methods to scare bears away from human settlements. An act commonly referred to as “hazing.”

Sarmento, a doctoral student at the University of Montana, said in a study to be published in the journal Frontiers of Conservation Science that aerial drones outperformed all other hazing methods he tested in his experiments. These provide a way to keep grizzly bears away from humans that is safe for both humans and animals.

“Drones are now a tool that you can’t do your job without,” Sarmento said. “That’s how convenient it is.”

Increase in human-wildlife conflict


For nearly two centuries, prairies like those around Vanden Bosch Farm in northeastern Montana have had few large predators.

“The really good news is that we’ve done a good job recovering some of the large carnivores,” said Julie Young, a Utah State University wildlife biologist who studies ways to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Washington state set to reintroduce grizzly bears in an effort to preserve population

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The federal government announced this week that grizzly bears will be reintroduced to Washington state’s North Cascade Mountains. The decision follows many years of intense and divisive debate.

But due to the complex process of capturing bears from British Columbia and northwestern Montana, transporting them by truck and helicopter, it will take many years before bears can venture into the remote and rugged terrain. It may also be costly.

“There’s a lot of work to do before we can schedule it,” said Jason Ransom, a wildlife biologist with North Cascades National Park. “Getting the planning right is critical to the success of a project like this.”

The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday that over the next 5 to 10 years, a “founder population” of bears will be released into a secluded part of the forest.

This reintroduction will restore a keystone species to the North Cascades, one of the most protected landscapes in the United States. Grizzlies once roamed throughout the region, but were extensively hunted for their fur. The National Park Service reports that there has not been a confirmed bear sighting since 1996.

Both agencies plan to release between three and seven bears each year with the goal of reaching a population of 200 bears within 60 to 100 years.

The North Cascades are one of six areas where federal agencies are working to rehabilitate grizzly bears. Supporters believe that this effort will improve the overall ecosystem health.

Ransom mentioned that grizzly bears play a vital role in turning soil, spreading seeds, and adapting to various habitats for reproduction. Their versatility makes them resilient to environmental changes, including those caused by climate change.

But opponents express concerns about the safety risks grizzly bears may pose to humans, as well as the potential conflicts with farmers and ranchers in the surrounding areas. The reintroduction project is addressing these concerns by selecting a release site in high-quality habitat far from populated areas.

The federal government has designated the project’s grizzly bears as a “nonessential experimental population” under the Endangered Species Act, providing legal flexibility to manage potential conflicts and protect both humans and bears.

The process of capturing and releasing bears involves using culvert traps, anesthesia, veterinary examinations, and radio collars for tracking purposes. The gradual reintroduction process aims to allow humans and bears to adapt to each other in an environment that has been bear-free for decades.

Starting with 25 bears allows the population to grow slowly, giving both humans and bears a chance to coexist in the area that has been without bears for a long time.

Source: www.nbcnews.com