PANEL 3: POLAR BEAR STUDIES Infra-red Scanning for Polar Bear

• Main Author: James W. Brooks
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chukchi Sea; Chukchi; ice pack; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.558.5621; http://www.bearbiology.com/fileadmin/tpl/Downloads/URSUS/Vol_2/Brooks_138-141.pdf

An airborne imaging infra-red scanner was tested for i t s ability to detect and record the presence of polar bea rs on the Chukchi Sea ice pack. The equip-ment and i t s manner of use is described. A monitoring oscilloscope failed to reveal bears, although scan data recorded on magnetic tape and subsequently transferred to film did reveal the presence of polar bea rs and their f resh t ra i ls. Additional testing under a wide range of weather and snow conditions appears warranted.