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Polar Bears - Data, Pictures and Videos
Polar Bears - Data, Pictures and Videos
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Polar Bears - Data, Pictures and Videos
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 (08-25-2024, 07:06 AM)peter Wrote:(08-24-2024, 03:43 PM)GreenGrolar Wrote:(10-16-2023, 07:13 PM)peter Wrote:(10-16-2023, 09:03 AM)GreenGrolar Wrote: b - The height of the polar bear Hi Peter thanks for your reply. Very detailed and a lot to digest. I have one additional question here. How many trainers actually treat their animals well and without abuse? It seems that polar bears and cetaceans are the least adaptable to environment change. Now I do not approve of cruelty to any animals. Many circus trainers do cruel acts to bears and others by throwing fire crackers at them since they were cubs to make them learn tricks like bicycle riding etc. However, since this thread is dedicated to polar bears, here is a few examples below: 1) EXPOSED: Horrifying reality of polar bears forced to SING AND DANCE for circus audience. POLAR bears are being used in a shocking circus act chained up and forced to sing in scenes which are likely to prompt outrage among animal lovers.  *This image is copyright of its original author The polar bears were chained and forced to stand at a microphone The Ivanovo circus in Russia featured polar bears, whose numbers have dwindled across the world, 'performing' during a show under the orders of circus trainers Yulia Denisenko and Yuriy Khokhlov. In one scene, a bear is forced to roar into a microphone while standing on their hind legs - a posture which "is not instinctive" of the animals. Other routines in the bizare performance see the polar bears dance, ice skate and even play football. Animal tamers Denisenko and Khokhlov have become well-known in Russia and Eastern Europe for their travelling polar bear act.  *This image is copyright of its original author The polar bear circus routine has been criticized by animal activists The show featured the famous Bolshoi Circus in Moscow in 2014 and Mrs Denisenko even took her arctic animals to Sochi during the Olympic Games to perform the routine. The experienced animal tamer discussed the often violent regime she implements to train the polar bears, including "breaking" the bears when they are young. The polar bears have been taken all around Russia She said: "First of all, these animals do not instinctively walk on their hind legs. "And secondly, polar bears are not very gregarious. So it is difficult for them to stay together under artificial conditions. "A predator is a predator and can cause a bad injury just with its paw even when playing. "In nature these animals can easily kill a seal with one blow of their forepaws. "Therefore, it is necessary to give back blow for blow immediately while they are young. "Then, when they are older, they will give up this instinctive activity." The act is billed as the world's only polar bear ice skate attraction and has already caused outrage among animal lovers. One viewer on social posted: "Anyone who thinks this is OK needs to be locked up." Another added: "This is NOT a pet, This is a wild animal that should not be used for people's entertainment." She said: "First of all, these animals do not instinctively walk on their hind legs. "And secondly, polar bears are not very gregarious. So it is difficult for them to stay together under artificial conditions. "A predator is a predator and can cause a bad injury just with its paw even when playing. "In nature these animals can easily kill a seal with one blow of their forepaws. "Therefore, it is necessary to give back blow for blow immediately while they are young. "Then, when they are older, they will give up this instinctive activity." This is NOT a pet, This is a wild animal that should not be used for people's entertainment. Social media user The act is billed as the world's only polar bear ice skate attraction and has already caused outrage among animal lovers. One viewer on social posted: "Anyone who thinks this is OK needs to be locked up." Another added: "This is NOT a pet, This is a wild animal that should not be used for people's entertainment." Animals rescued from starvation at the Khan Younis Zoo in Gaza The RSPCA, which campaigns against using wild animals in circuses, said "on average, a polar bear's enclosure is about one-millionth of the area of its minumum range in the wild". They added: "Even compared to zoos, circus cages and pens provide a very restricted amount of space." PETA have previously said: "Polar bears belong in the wild, not in zoo cages nor circuses". PETA’s Associate Director, Elisa Allen said: "Russia can't successfully cultivate a remotely progressive image as long as it still abuses bears, forcing these dignified wild animals to perform demeaning and stupid tricks in order to amuse the masses. "We have spoken to trainers for Russian circuses who burn bears with cigarettes, strike them with metal bars and use other torture methods, in addition to forcing cubs to stand on their hind legs by chaining them to a wall so that they will strangle if they attempt to return to a natural all-fours stance. "Many cubs die before the harsh training even begins because of the stress of capture, gruelling transportation conditions, food deprivation, dehydration and extremely rough handling. "The survivors often have the tops of their muzzles pierced with hot needles and a rope threaded through the holes in their septum – they perform under the constant threat of punishment. "These and other crude, archaic animal acts have no place in any civilised or advanced society – including the UK – where the government must finally bring forward legislation banning cruel wild-animal circuses." Russia has a long-standing tradition of training bears to perform tricks such as riding motorcycles, ice skating, and even playing hockey. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/6464...rs-cruelty 2) http://www.bornfree.org.uk/storage/media...20Zoos.pdf I am unable to copy and paste the info here as they are in pdf form but you guys can still read by clicking the link. Once again, polar bears are born to roam not live in zoos. More in the posts below.
Chinese hotel with polar bear enclosure opens to outrage.
Harbin hotel keeping threatened species in pen overlooked by bedrooms angers animal welfare groups  *This image is copyright of its original author Hotel guests watch the polar bears in their enclosure at the hotel in Harbin, China. Photograph: AFP/Getty A Chinese hotel built around a central polar bear enclosure for the non-stop viewing pleasure of its guests has opened to immediate condemnation from conservationists. At Harbin Polar Land in north-east China, the hotel bedrooms’ windows face onto the bears’ pen, with visitors told the animals are their “neighbours 24 hours a day”. A video shows the bears – a threatened species – being photographed by crowds of guests under harsh warm lights, in a space consisting of fake rocks and icicles and a white painted floor. Animal rights organisations reacted with outrage, urging customers to stay away from establishments profiting “from animals’ misery”. “Polar bears belong in the Arctic, not in zoos or glass boxes in aquariums - and certainly not in hotels,” said Peta Asia’s vice-president, Jason Baker.  *This image is copyright of its original author Visitors look at a polar bear in the enclosure. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock In the wild, polar bears usually roam territories that can span thousands of miles, Baker added. Harbin is famous for its ice-carving festival, and the hotel resembles a giant igloo, its roof topped with artificial ice. But some Chinese social media users expressed unease at the theme being taken to this extreme. “A panoramic prison for polar bears … Haven’t we learned anything about animal cruelty?” one commentator said. Polar bears in much of Alaska and Russia will be in serious trouble by 2080, the study indicates. Most polar bears to disappear by 2100, study predicts Read more “Gaps in China’s wildlife protection law allows businesses to exploit animals without any concern for their welfare,” a spokesman for China Animal Protection Network, who declined to be named, told AFP. Chinese authorities recently changed the law to ban the consumption of wildlife for food, after speculation over the origins of the coronavirus nudged investigators towards a Wuhan market where live animals were for sale. But the use of parts of endangered species in traditional medicine remains rampant, and Chinese circuses and zoos are often criticised for poor standards of animal housing and care. I hope you appreciated this article. Before you move on, I wonder if you would consider supporting Guardian Australia’s rigorous, independent reporting. Our journalism holds the powerful to account and gives a voice to the marginalised. We cut through misinformation to arm Australians with facts, and expose corporate greed amid a cost-of-living crunch. Our journalism has sparked government inquiries and investigations, and continues to treat the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves. This vital work is made possible because of our unique reader-supported model. With no billionaire owner or shareholders to consider, we are empowered to produce truly independent journalism that serves the public interest, not profit motives. And unlike others, we don’t keep our journalism behind a paywall. With misinformation and propaganda increasingly rife, we believe it is more important than ever that everybody has access to trustworthy news and information, whether they can afford to pay for it or not. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/m...to-outrage Here is one more example of polar bear cruelty, not a zoo but keeping a polar bear in a hotel for exhibition is cruel especially since it requires a lot of space. A polar bear travels a lot. This video said the zookeeper is teaching the polar bear a lesson for wasting its food. However, that is a poor excuse. Reason, it is the zookeepers fault for keeping the poor bear in a place which he does not belong. While the scene might look comical, it is actually cruelty to the polar bear.
@peter regarding polar bear temperament, while it is true that these yellowish white bears vary in personalities (not a surprise as in Grizzly Years by Doug Peacock, grizzly bears have personalities like the seven dwafts from Snow White), it seems there are several accounts of polar bears with unpredictable temperaments:
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Ursula Bottcher seems to confirm that in the 2nd paragraph, the lady whom ice skates with polar bears. Her younger pictures are similar to my ex, but with more straight hair. Interesting fact, Neptune is one of her biggest male polar bear at 1320 pounds, unusual for a captive polar bear considering the one posted by Geuta Gorjira says that a captive polar bear above 1125 pounds is rare and probably larger unverified Russian ones exist (can't remember exact sentence). Two trainers seem to always work around polar bears in the last paragraph. I know it is an old account but I doubt all of them are false. 100 years from now, many of what we post here will likely be called 'old'. One more: For the most part, humans are few within the Arctic range of Polar Bear, and deadly confrontations are few. Humans kill far more bears than bears kill people. Yet, Polar Bear is a very dangerous animal. Bears are fearless towards people; they are very curious and are unpredictable in temperament; and in the right circumstances one will stalk, kill, and eat a human as prey. http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/mon...bears.html Polar bears are unpredictable as confirm by this article. One again like any other animal, some polar bears are more aggressive and others are more timid but we have a few accounts calling them unpredictable. I have not forgotten that some of them can be a faithful friend to their human companions which you mentioned, probably depending on how well he was treated.
Everland grilled over polar bear abuse
 *This image is copyright of its original author An animal rights activist in a polar bear costume jumps into the Han River at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul, Friday, in protest of Everland's alleged mistreatment of a polar bear./Yonhap Tonki is a 22-year-old male polar bear, which has lived in captivity in Everland for 20 years, the country's largest theme park, located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. According to CARE, Tonki has been living in gruesome conditions, without an adequate water supply and air-conditioning he needs to stay cool. “At first sight, I questioned if he was even alive,” said a CARE activist who visited the zoo earlier this month. https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.koreatime...Idx=233825
Rare polar bear shot dead by police in Iceland after being thought a threat.
Environment agency advised that the animal posed a danger to elderly woman in remote summer house in Westfjords  *This image is copyright of its original author ‘It’s not something we like to do,’ said the police chief of the north-western region of Westfjords. Photograph: Ingvar Jakobsson/AP Iceland Rare polar bear shot dead by police in Iceland after being thought a threat Environment agency advised that the animal posed a danger to elderly woman in remote summer house in Westfjords A rare polar bear that was spotted in a remote village in Iceland was shot by police after being considered a threat, authorities have said. The bear was killed in the north-west tip of the country after police consulted the national environment agency, which declined to have the animal relocated, according to the Westfjords police chief, Helgi Jensson. “It’s not something we like to do,” Jensson said. “In this case … the bear was very close to a summer house. There was an old woman in there.” The owner, who was alone, was frightened and locked herself upstairs as the bear rummaged through her garbage, Jensson said. She contacted her daughter in Reykjavik, the capital, by satellite link, and called for help. “She stayed there,” Jensson said, adding that other summer residents in the area had gone home. “She knew the danger.” Polar bears are not native to Iceland but occasionally come ashore after travelling on ice floes from Greenland, according to Anna Sveinsdóttir, the director of scientific collections at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. Many icebergs have been spotted off the north coast in the last few weeks. Although attacks by polar bears on humans are extremely rare, a study in Wildlife Society Bulletin in 2017 said that the loss of sea ice from global warming has led more hungry bears to land, creating a greater chance of conflicts with humans and increasing the risk to both. Of 73 documented attacks by polar bears from 1870 to 2014 in Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia and the United States — which killed 20 people and injured 63 — 15 occurred in the final five years of that period. The bear shot on Thursday was the first one seen in the country since 2016. Sightings are relatively rare, with only 600 recorded in Iceland since the ninth century. While the bears are a protected species in Iceland and it is forbidden to kill one at sea, they can be killed if they pose a threat to humans or livestock. After two bears arrived in 2008, a debate over killing the threatened species led the environment minister to appoint a taskforce to study the issue, the institute said. The taskforce concluded that killing vagrant bears was the most appropriate response. The group said the non-native species posed a threat to people and animals, and the cost of returning them to Greenland, about 180 miles away, was exorbitant. It also found there was a healthy bear population in east Greenland, from where any bear was likely to have come. The young bear, which weighed between 150 and 200kg, will be taken to the institute to be studied. Scientists took samples from the bear on Friday. They will be checking for parasites and infections and evaluating its physical condition, such as the health of its organs and percentage of body fat, Sveinsdóttir said. The pelt and skull may be preserved for the institute’s collection. A coast guard helicopter surveyed the area where the bear was found to look for others but did not find any, police said. After the shot bear was taken away, the woman who reported it decided to stay longer in the village, Jensson said. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/20/rare-polar-bear-shot-dead-by-police-in-iceland-after-being-thought-a-threat Polar bears are great travellers and one travelled as far as to Iceland. There is a better way than shooting the poor bear dead. 
GROLAR
A lot of posts to underline your point! I don't doubt, however, they're much appreciated by those interested in polar bears. They now know not all animals used in circuses are treated in the correct way. In some countries, trainers can still act as they see fit. Most no doubt care about their animals, but some push them in order to get to a bit of fame. It isn't any different in society. Most people working for a living like their job and treat their fellow man with respect, but those out for fame and money too at times are prepared to push the limits. My guess is it wasn't any different in European circuses not so long ago. I witnessed the birth of organisations involved in 'animal rights' and support every attempt to prevent, or address, abuse and I'm not referring to 'exotic' animals only. There are many examples of people mistreating domestic animals. In most of Europe, as a result of new laws, circuses no longer are allowed to use 'exotic' animals. Private ownership of exotic 'pets' is all but finished. Legal actions to prevent and ban abuse were embraced by many politicians, if only because it had a positive effect on their popularity. The new laws, however, have a flip side. I interviewed quite a few trainers contracted by European circuses in the period organisations involved in 'animal rights' were all but unknown. When the tide changed, trainers declined requests for interviews. Not a few of them quit and some of those affected, and many were affected by the changes, decided for a premature end. I'm referring to those who were killed by the animals they loved. I've been involved in quite a few discussions about this topic in the 'workshops' I headed and heard stories, to quote Corbett, that would make a man weep. Did the new laws have other effects? The answer is affirmative. Millions of youngsters will never have the opportunity to see animals they never even heard of. Intimate knowledge was lost. Many trainers, condemned and dismissed out of hand for no reason, perished and that's still without the thousands of unwanted, misunderstood, unemployed and now superfluous captive big cats. Many thousands were euthanized. Does the eneral public know? I never read an article and never saw a documentary or a special report and organisations involved in 'animal rights' kept silent as well. Furthermore, many rewilding projects were abandoned. The interest in conservation was largely lost, funding is struggling and the general public lost their interest. The organisations involved in 'animal rights', however, are still here. They now focus on the meat market. They most certainly have as point (referring to the use of antibiotics and hormones and the inhumane methods used to quickly dispose of animals bred for consumption). Although they made a few headlines, the opponent is tough. The reason is the meat market is real big. Circuses and and trainers were easy targets, but when big money is at stake, things change. As far as I can see, it's all but game over for organisations involved in 'animal rights'. Too dangerous. And what about the way 'pets' are treated in most countries in the western hemisphere? Did the organisations involved in 'animal rights' have an effect on legislation? Inspection? The answer, as far as I can see, is zilch. El nil. You read articles about the way domestic animals are treated? Articles about the countless pets abused every year? And the other way round? Did I tell you about the days I visited zoos, private facilities and 'rescue centers' and talked to vets, biologists, trainers and directors of zoos and private facilities? Did I inform you about the days I participated in 'workgroups'? I even headed a few. They were an eye-opener in that I quickly found all members knew next to nothing about animals in general and exotic animals in particular. Remember I'm being very polite here. They, however, knew about contacts, publicity and how to play the media. It's very easy to affect the 'opinion' of most people. You can tell them just about anything and they'll buy it. Whatever you conclude, never ever think these organisations were about ('exotic') animals used in the circus. Or legislation and inspections. The circus was a try-out. They used the opportunity, made a few headlines, kept silent about the victims and moved on. All this to say circus animals, or pets for that matter, never were abused? Far from it. It happened and will always happen. That's humans for you. I know of trainers who lacked the abilities and the drive needed. One day, I asked a woman without a name if she was interested in an interview. She wasn't. Tony Hughes told me why. He knew, because he was hired to protect her. Another trainer withdrew at the very last moment. Although experienced, he met his match in a big black male jaguar. I talked to directors of training facilities and 'rescue centers' who saw a lot more. I heard stories from vets cleaning up the mess after an incident. A trainer killed by a bear or a big cat might get to a few headlines, but I never read an article about an animal killed in a fight that erupted after a manmade mistake. Based on what those who know told me, fights between animals of different species, although uncommon, were not very exceptional. All in all, I'd said Roth, who said just about anything is possible, was quite close. In spite of all that, most trainers, cage hands, keepers, directors and all others involved in 'exotic' animals were really interested in the animals they knew. They were not complacent or arrogant and never mistreated the animals they took care of. Time and again, I noticed they distinguished between individuals, just like they did in humans. Some big cats and bears could be trusted, whereas others could not. Most captive predators, however, were no different from most humans, meaning they knew about 'keeping up appearances' and enjoyed flexible interpretations of rules. Meaning their behaviour depended on the circumstances and their mood. In this way, animals and keepers moved through the inevitable, which was captivity. Captive predators, as Clyde Beatty said in one of his books, are very aware of the food situation. Freedom is nice, but in a 'human-dominated landscape' it's hard to come by, not to mention starvation and legal problems. Adult big cats in particular are very aware of the situation they face and they also know a few things about psychology. Meaning they're really able to see the one hiding behind his everyday face and they know how to 'poke his tree'. Returning to the issues you raised in your posts. The book I used to inform those interested in (polar) bears (and big cats) was written by a man who was a trainer himself. A man genuinely interested in big cats, bears, the circus and trainers. His wife, although not a trainer herself, wasn't any different. When you read their book, you'll quickly conclude it was written by people who really care about the circus. Same for most people working in facilities and zoos. All trainers I interviewed were specialists in their own way. Big cat trainers in particular were keen observers. Not a few of them were leaning against the bars at some stage of the interview, meaning the stories you read about never turning your back on a big cat are just that. I'm convinced captive predators and trainers are capable of something most of us would describe as friendship. The bond they had might have compared to the bond soldiers develop during a war. A war they only survived because of the bond. They knew their back was covered at all times. A trainer attacked by an animal that had nurtured a grudge can always count on his brother in arms. In their book, the Tiede describe a few examples in which adult male polar bears featured. They were very real stories and the trainers involved told the Tiedes their brother in arms wasn't a polar bear or a tiger, but a true friend and a soulmate. These stories are exceptional. Same for the opposite. Most relationships, however, are like most relationships in humans. People get to know each other and continue a relationship or frienship for years, if not for life. But circumstances change and these changes can have an unexpected outcome. An experienced homicide detective told me not a few victims of violence were killed by those they least expected. Same in trainers and animals they work with? I don't know, but I do know nearly all trainers, like the cats they work with, are keen observers. They distinguish between individuals and more or less know in what way every individual will react in a specific situation. In a tense situation, you'll see things you never expected. In these situations in particular, trainers learn, meaning they adapt. If they don't, they might pay sooner or later. In friendships between humans, this not always is the case. Even when they see something they didn't expect, they often find a reason to continue. Apart from all that, life is quite unpredictable at the best of times. Most people don't want to know about exceptions. They prefer absolutes and safe routines. Right at the end, one can only conclude life is both interesting and complicated. Every adult is an individual and all want to be noticed in some way or another. Some use their own ability, but most use others in some way or another. Follow your heart, accept most people are opportunists and never blame others if you fail. Find stories you consider as inspiring and when your path crosses that of a wild animal, treat it with respect.
Thanks @peter for your reply. I might have been a bit too quick to judge all zoos. Still this is the better way to visit polar bears. Travel to Churchill:
 *This image is copyright of its original author https://theinsatiabletraveler.com/ultima...-manitoba/ A bit off topic. I like this zoo much better: *This image is copyright of its original author https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news...up-2176642 A very curious animal.  *This image is copyright of its original author Another picture. It is scary touching a polar bear. This man must be brave.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author A big captive female polar bear.  *This image is copyright of its original author https://books.google.it/books?id=2rkHQpT...bs&f=false
What Does a Polar Bear Sound Like? – Polar Bear Sounds
FACTS Polar bears have a range of vocalizations but they are no noisy animals. Icy bears remain quiet and live solitary lives most of the time. However polar bears’ sounds are heard either during mating season when males attempt to convince its mating partner or when the individuals fight each other. Mature male bears produce sounds in order to show aggression either before the fight or during fighting. Prominent among the aggressive sounds is chuffing which is not heard when bears are in good mood. Thus the chuffing sound suggests that the polar bear is not in a good mood at all. They never make chuffing sound while playing. Do you want to know what sound does a polar bear make in tundra? What Does a Polar Bear Sound Like? Icy bears are thought to produce as many as 3 to 6 different sounds. Each sound shows different behavior of an animal. The polar bear’s sounds include moaning, jaw-chopping, growling, blowing, hissing, whimpering, throaty rumblings, braying, squalling, smacking, roaring, and finally chuffing. If you come across a vocal polar bear you’ll notice that she might sound like a tiger or a lion when she roars. The roaring sound is not as clear though but it is good enough to give the impression of a tiger. Sometimes ice bears appear to sound like elephants. The sound roaring is sometimes is a call of excitement as most bears roar when they are in a fairly good mood. Aggressive calls include jaw-chopping and growling. What does a Polar Bear Sound when she is Angry? Polar bears make a repeated call of chuffing when they are angry. While they often avoid fighting and walk away the mother bear produces chuffing sound when she must defend her cubs against an intruder. Male polar bears regularly show strength to the outsider male but they do not do so in order to defend cubs. They will leave mother and cubs soon after mating. Male bears often fight to win over their mating partner. That is why the chuffing sound is typically heard in the mating season rarely in regular days. They will produce a chuffing sound with open mouth. Since they utter same chuffing sound in different situations it depends on the context as to what polar bears want to say. Studies suggest that adults also utter chuff sound when they are in distress. It’s like a ‘mayday’ call. While bears mostly live alone sometimes polar bears live in groups. If one of the group members get separated then she might utter a repeated call of chuffing. what does a polar bear sound likeWhen do Female Polar Bears produce a Chuffing call? Female bears become more vocal in the first 120 days when they emerge out of their maternity dens. They do so in order to drive out all sorts of threats from her cubs. Unlike adult males female polar bears are devoted mother and they will actively respond to the distress call of their babies. The call is greatest when cubs are only few days old in age. However as the polar bear babies become 3 – 4 months old the mother produces call but only sometimes. The mother bear is also likely to chuff when she plays with her cubs. Sometimes she sniffs, or rubs her muzzle against her cubs, or when she bites and paws. She may utter the same chuff sound during all these actions. Similarly, if a mother bear attempts to change her posture she produces a chuff call. Polar bear cubs get separated from their mother after attaining one year age (sometimes two years). During this separation moment the mother and a cub will either roar or chuff. Scientists observed that when the mother chuffs the cubs actively respond to her call by coming nearer to her. When do Male Polar Bears produce a Chuffing Sound? The adult males go away and live a solitary life after mating but when the same male returns to the female (after 2 years) the entire family i.e. mother, father, and cubs begin to chuff. Observation suggests that males utter a chuffing sound when they copulate. Alongside chuffing they also moan during copulation. What do Baby Polar Bears Sound Like? Polar bear cubs are thought to utter a unique humming sound but they also chuckle during nursing. They also speak right after the birth but the vocalization is not so clear. What does a Polar Bear Sound Like? – Video
A Case of Offspring Adoption in Free-Ranging Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)
Abstract During a study of the reproductive ecology of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in western Hudson Bay (Canada), we documented a case of litter adoption. In an eight-month period, a ten-year-old adult female lost a litter of two cubs-of- the-year and adopted three other cubs-of-the-year. This is the first reported case of natural offspring adoption in polar bears , and its significance as a reproductive strategy is unknown. Nevertheless, the observation raises questions regarding the social circumstances under which adoption may occur and the benefits or costs to maternal fitness in a solitary mammal such as the polar bear. www.researchgate.net/publication/241745954_A_Case_of_Offspring_Adoption_in_Free-Ranging_Polar_Bears_Ursus_maritimus
Longevity
Polar bears can live 20 to 30 years, but only a small percentage of polar bears live past 15 to 18 years. The oldest known polar bear in the Arctic lived 32 years. The oldest known polar bear in a zoological park lived 45 years. Aging Studies Each year, as a polar bear grows, a thin layer of cementum is added to each tooth. Age can be estimated by examining a thin slice of tooth and counting the layers. To estimate the age of a live polar bear, researchers can extract one small, vestigial premolar tooth.. seaworld.org/animals/all-about/polar-bear/longevity/ |
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