An observation of possible cannibalism by polar bears ( Ursus maritimus )

We observed a case of cannibalism by a 23-year-old adult male polar bear in very poor physical condition on Southampton Island, N.W.T. It had apparently killed an adult female and was feeding on the carcass. Cannibalism among polar bears does occur under natural conditions. It is difficult to docume...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Lunn, N. J., Stenhouse, G. B.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1985
Subjects:
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Southampton Island
polar bear
Ursus maritimus
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z85-225
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z85-225
Description
Summary:We observed a case of cannibalism by a 23-year-old adult male polar bear in very poor physical condition on Southampton Island, N.W.T. It had apparently killed an adult female and was feeding on the carcass. Cannibalism among polar bears does occur under natural conditions. It is difficult to document how often this occurs and of what ecological significance it might be.

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