Research on Alaskan polar bears in 1979 and 1980

In 1979 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continued its program of mark and recapture. From 31 March to 4 May field crews working at Point Barrow, Alaska, captured and marked a total of 15 polar bears (Table I). The small number was due to very poor ice conditions off the coast of Alaska, making tracking and capturing difficult. Four of the bears were recaptures from previous years. In addition, as part of a multi-national program (Canada, U.S., Norway) satellite transmitters were attached to 3 adult female polar bears in the hopes of tracking them to their dens the following winter. However, due to mechanical and operational difficulties, very little information was acquired in the Alaskan sector of the project.