“The GPS collars allow researchers to track polar bears, helping us learn about their movements in response to sea ice movement as well as loss caused by climate change. Because polar bears prefer to roam far out on sea ice where it is dangerous for
Historically, polar bears have been tracked primarily using GPS collars built with flexible, synthetic material that sheds water and ice. Collars are designed to stay flexible in cold temperatures, but are strong enough to withstand Arctic marine con
Understandably, there are concerns about the impacts of collaring and human interference on wildlife. Polar bear researchers care deeply about the health of their study animals and regularly assess the impacts of different types of research and adjus
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are up to 26,000 polar bears in the world today. However, this is simply an estimate and it is difficult to know for sure. Due to their declining Arctic sea ice habitat, po
While people tend to think that polar bears are violent or threatening to humans, they are generally solitary creatures, who only approach human settlements if hungry or curious and usually only lash out if they feel threatened or afraid. Though they
Polar bears are not easily frightened. While they do not have any natural enemies or predators, most polar bears will choose to avoid large adult male polar bears as they can be unpredictable and dangerous depending on the time of year and conditions
While polar bears appear white, their skin and the surface of their paws are actually black. The soles of their paws are special in the way that they are covered in papillae. These tiny bumps create friction to allow for stability and slip protection
Polar bears' biggest extinction threats stem from climate change, as these animals live on sea ice and thrive in cold temperatures. Sea ice is currently declining due to climate warming, caused by a buildup of too many fossil fuel emissions trapped i