A new study on polar bear denning behavior will help scientists better understand this crucial time in the bears’ lives. Researchers from Polar Bears International, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and the University of Toronto Scarborough worked together to provide the “first detailed look at polar bear cubs emerging from their dens” using remote camera footage in Svalbard, Norway.
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Researchers recorded when the mothers and cubs emerged from their dens, how long they stayed at their den sites before moving out to the sea ice, and, in general, what each polar-bear family got up to after emerging from their dens. Scientists discovered that each family behaved a little bit differently. For instance, one family stayed around the den site for just two days after emerging, while another polar-bear family stayed a whole month before heading to the sea ice.
Learn more about the polar bear denning study here:
Read the full study here.