Observation of Adoption in Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

A Case of Offspring Adoption in Free-Ranging Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

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-ofthe-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 reproductiv...

Genetic relationships of extant brown bears (Ursus arctos) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus).

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos) are closely related species for which extensive mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenetic comparisons have been made. We used previously published genotype data for 8 microsatellite DNA loci from 930 brown bears in 19 populations and 473 polar bears in 16 populations to compare the population genetic relationships of extant populations o...

The Polar Bear — Ursus maritimus

Infanticide and Cannibalism of Juvenile Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in Svalbard

Two instances of infanticide and cannibalism in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were observed in SE Svalbard, at Hopen Island. In the first, an adult male killed three young cubs at a den site and consumed one of them. In the second, an adult male actively pursued, killed, and consumed a dependent yearling. Infanticide of dependent polar bear offspring by adult males may be more common in Svalbar...

Behavioral decisions for managing social distance and aggression in captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus).

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) in most zoos attracts high levels of public attention and can play an important role in conservation education. Polar bears in the wild are typically solitary; bears in captivity often house socially. This study reported behavioral evidence on how bears manage this situation and whether proximity leads to aggression. The study recorded location and behavior once...