Observations of Cannibalism by Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) on Summer and Autumn Sea Ice at Svalbard, Norway

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Authors: Stirling, Ian, Ross, Jenny E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 2011
• Subjects: polar bear; Ursus maritimus; intraspecific predation; cannibalism; Svalbard; ours polaire; prédation intraspécifique; cannibalisme; Arctic; Norway; Phoques; Svalbard Archipelago; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/67194

We report three instances of intraspecific killing and cannibalism of young polar bears by adult males on the sea ice in Svalbard in summer and autumn. During breakup and melting in summer, the area of sea ice around the Svalbard Archipelago declines to a fraction of the winter total, and in many ar...