Observation of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) feeding on Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhyncus) – exceptional behaviour or upcoming trend?

A polar bear (Ursus maritimus) was observed feeding on Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhyncus) on September 3rd 2018 near Skansbukta, central Svalbard. A well-developed male was observed to rest nearby and feed on fresh reindeer carcass. Polar bear hunting a reindeer is rather an exceptio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kavan, Jan
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Masaryk Univerzity 2018
Subjects:
p olar bear
feeding behaviour
reindeer
climate change
Svalbard
Skansbukta
Rangifer tarandus
Sea ice
svalbard reindeer
Ursus maritimus
Online Access:http://journals.muni.cz/CPR/article/view/12931
Description
Summary:A polar bear (Ursus maritimus) was observed feeding on Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhyncus) on September 3rd 2018 near Skansbukta, central Svalbard. A well-developed male was observed to rest nearby and feed on fresh reindeer carcass. Polar bear hunting a reindeer is rather an exceptional behaviour at present, but could become more frequent with drastic decline of sea ice and thus loss of traditional hunting areas with presence of seals – the usual prey.

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