Observations of nonaggressive behavior between polar bear family groups

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Lunn, N. J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1986
• Subjects: Churchill
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z86-307; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z86-307

The behavior of 26 polar bears in and around the Churchill, Manitoba, garbage dump was observed in the autumn of 1983. Females with cubs were the most aggressive bears; all others avoided them. As the season progressed, two family groups began to associate with each other. One set of cubs were yearlings, the other set were cubs of the year. No aggression between these family groups was observed. Although females with cubs are generally intolerant of all other bears, they do interact nonaggressively. The function of these nonaggressive interactions is not clear at present but may illustrate the adaptability of polar bear behavior.