Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics, distribution and movements, maternal denning, and methods development. The majority of our research focuses on the two polar bear subpopulation’s whose range includes Alaska: the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation that ranges between the North Slope of Alaska and western Canada and the Chukchi Sea or Alaska-Chukotka subpopulation that ranges between the northwest coast of Alaska and eastern Russia. The overarching goal of our research is to assess current and projected future responses of polar bears to a rapidly changing Arctic environment.
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Video: Polar Bear Collar Cam
Video: Polar Bear Collar Cam
Video: About the Polar Bear Research Program
Video: About the Polar Bear Research Program
Video: Melting Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Polar Bears
Video: Melting Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Polar Bears
Polar Bear Reseach Projects
Polar Bear Reseach Projects
Information on the status and trends of polar bear populations are needed to inform management of polar bears under US laws and international agreements.
Population Dynamics
Population Dynamics
Population Dynamics
Health and Energetics
Health and Energetics
Health and Energetics
Distribution and Movements
Distribution and Movements
Distribution and Movements
Maternal Denning
Maternal Denning
Maternal Denning
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Q&A: Polar Bears and Zoos
Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic and roam across miles of sea ice and land. They prefer to eat blubber, especially from seals that are also found on the sea ice. However, the sea ice habitat of polar bears is changing rapidly with substantial recent declines in the extent of sea ice in the Arctic. These changes are leading polar bears to spend more time on land in some areas...
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 51
San Diego Zoo Polar Bear
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
San Diego Zoo Polar Bear
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Polar Bear at Rest
Polar bear laying down to dry after a swim in the Chukchi sea.
Polar bear laying down to dry after a swim in the Chukchi sea.
Swimming Polar Bear
Polar bears spend much of their lives in and around water, and they are well adapted for swimming.
Polar bears spend much of their lives in and around water, and they are well adapted for swimming.
Polar Bear - POV Cams (Spring 2014)
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd AtwoodLarge polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd AtwoodLarge polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Polar Bear Research, B-Roll 1
Spring 2014. USGS scientists conduct a health evaluation of a young male polar bear in the Arctic as part of the annual southern Beaufort Sea population survey. The bear is sedated for approximately an hour while the team records a variety of measurements and collects key biological samples.
Spring 2014. USGS scientists conduct a health evaluation of a young male polar bear in the Arctic as part of the annual southern Beaufort Sea population survey. The bear is sedated for approximately an hour while the team records a variety of measurements and collects key biological samples.
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water and sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
An aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
An aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
USGS scientist measuring for suspected alopecia
A polar bear is being subjected to the enhanced sampling protocol for suspected alopecic bears. In the photo, we're using the tape measure to demonstrate the size of the area of hair loss on the neck. This photo was taken on the sea ice north of Utqiagvik, Alaska.
A polar bear is being subjected to the enhanced sampling protocol for suspected alopecic bears. In the photo, we're using the tape measure to demonstrate the size of the area of hair loss on the neck. This photo was taken on the sea ice north of Utqiagvik, Alaska.
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011A polar bear walks across rubble ice in the Alaska portion of the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011A polar bear walks across rubble ice in the Alaska portion of the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bearGeorge Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bearGeorge Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort SeaA view of a pressure ridge in the sea ice in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort SeaA view of a pressure ridge in the sea ice in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Polar bear still-hunting on the sea ice
An adult male polar bear still-hunting at a seal hole on the sea ice of the southern Beaufort Sea.
An adult male polar bear still-hunting at a seal hole on the sea ice of the southern Beaufort Sea.
Polar Bears along Arctic Sea Ice
This image is of a polar bear and their cub.
This image is of a polar bear and their cub.
Polar Bears along Arctic Sea Ice
Polar bears along sea ice in the Arctic Ocean.
Polar bears along sea ice in the Arctic Ocean.
Taking Polar Bear Blood Samples
USGS scientist Karyn Rode takes a blood sample from a polar bear to estimate the diets of wild bears.
USGS scientist Karyn Rode takes a blood sample from a polar bear to estimate the diets of wild bears.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Q&A: Polar Bears and Zoos
Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic and roam across miles of sea ice and land. They prefer to eat blubber, especially from seals that are also found on the sea ice. However, the sea ice habitat of polar bears is changing rapidly with substantial recent declines in the extent of sea ice in the Arctic. These changes are leading polar bears to spend more time on land in some areas...
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 51
San Diego Zoo Polar Bear
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
San Diego Zoo Polar Bear
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Polar Bear at Rest
Polar bear laying down to dry after a swim in the Chukchi sea.
Polar bear laying down to dry after a swim in the Chukchi sea.
Swimming Polar Bear
Polar bears spend much of their lives in and around water, and they are well adapted for swimming.
Polar bears spend much of their lives in and around water, and they are well adapted for swimming.
Polar Bear - POV Cams (Spring 2014)
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd AtwoodLarge polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Large polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd AtwoodLarge polar bear being weighed by Anthony Pagano and Todd Atwood
Polar Bear Research, B-Roll 1
Spring 2014. USGS scientists conduct a health evaluation of a young male polar bear in the Arctic as part of the annual southern Beaufort Sea population survey. The bear is sedated for approximately an hour while the team records a variety of measurements and collects key biological samples.
Spring 2014. USGS scientists conduct a health evaluation of a young male polar bear in the Arctic as part of the annual southern Beaufort Sea population survey. The bear is sedated for approximately an hour while the team records a variety of measurements and collects key biological samples.
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
An open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snow
A landscape of open water lead in the sea ice with blowing snowAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water and sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
An aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
An aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort Sea
Open water, sea ice, and pressure ridges in the Beaufort SeaAn aerial view of sea ice with open water from a helicopter in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
USGS scientist measuring for suspected alopecia
A polar bear is being subjected to the enhanced sampling protocol for suspected alopecic bears. In the photo, we're using the tape measure to demonstrate the size of the area of hair loss on the neck. This photo was taken on the sea ice north of Utqiagvik, Alaska.
A polar bear is being subjected to the enhanced sampling protocol for suspected alopecic bears. In the photo, we're using the tape measure to demonstrate the size of the area of hair loss on the neck. This photo was taken on the sea ice north of Utqiagvik, Alaska.
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011A polar bear walks across rubble ice in the Alaska portion of the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
Polar bear on ice in the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011A polar bear walks across rubble ice in the Alaska portion of the southern Beaufort Sea, April 8, 2011
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bearGeorge Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bearGeorge Durner and Jennifer Wiley working on an anesthetized polar bear
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort SeaA view of a pressure ridge in the sea ice in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
Small pressure ridge in sea ice in the Beaufort SeaA view of a pressure ridge in the sea ice in the Beaufort Sea. Photo taken during Spring Capture of the Polar Bear project.
Polar bear still-hunting on the sea ice
An adult male polar bear still-hunting at a seal hole on the sea ice of the southern Beaufort Sea.
An adult male polar bear still-hunting at a seal hole on the sea ice of the southern Beaufort Sea.
Polar Bears along Arctic Sea Ice
This image is of a polar bear and their cub.
This image is of a polar bear and their cub.
Polar Bears along Arctic Sea Ice
Polar bears along sea ice in the Arctic Ocean.
Polar bears along sea ice in the Arctic Ocean.
Taking Polar Bear Blood Samples
USGS scientist Karyn Rode takes a blood sample from a polar bear to estimate the diets of wild bears.
USGS scientist Karyn Rode takes a blood sample from a polar bear to estimate the diets of wild bears.