A polar bear with hair loss (alopecia) along its neck. The bear was captured by USGS scientists using the immobilizing drug Telazol
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics, distribution and movements, maternal denning, and methods development. The majority of our research focuses on the two polar bear subpopulation’s whose range includes Alaska: the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation that ranges between the North Slope of Alaska and western Canada and the Chukchi Sea or Alaska-Chukotka subpopulation that ranges between the northwest coast of Alaska and eastern Russia. The overarching goal of our research is to assess current and projected future responses of polar bears to a rapidly changing Arctic environment.
Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems
Video: Polar Bear Collar Cam
Video: About the Polar Bear Research Program
Video: Melting Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Polar Bears
Polar Bear Reseach Projects
Information on the status and trends of polar bear populations are needed to inform management of polar bears under US laws and international agreements.
Population Dynamics
Health and Energetics
Distribution and Movements
Maternal Denning
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Catalogue of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Maternal Den Locations in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and Nearby Areas, 1910-2018
Satellite Location and Tri-axial Accelerometer Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014
Measurement Data of Polar Bears Captured in the Chukchi and Southern Beaufort Sea, 1981-2017
Locations Collected 1985-2015 from Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) with Dependent Young Instrumented in the Southern Beaufort Sea with Satellite-linked Transmitters by the USGS
Bioelectrical Impedance, Deuterium Dilution, Body Mass, and Morphological Measures of Southern Beaufort Sea Female Polar Bears, Spring 2014-2016
Metabolic Rate, Body Composition, Foraging Success, Behavior, and GPS Locations of Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Beaufort Sea, Spring, 2014-2016 and Resting Energetics of an Adult Female Polar Bear
Measures of oxygen consumption and stroke frequency of a captive subadult polar bear (Ursus maritimus) while resting in water and swimming and diving in a metabolic water flume, Oregon Zoo, 2017
Accelerometer Data from Collared Female Polar Bears in the Beaufort Sea, 2009-2016
Polar Bear Distribution and Habitat Resource Selection Data, Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 1985-2016
Data from a Circumpolar Survey on Recreational Activities in Polar Bear Habitat, 2017-2018
Denning Behavior Classifications Using Temperature Sensor Data on Collars Deployed on Polar Bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986-2013
Sensor and Location data from Ear Tag PTTs Deployed on Polar Bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea 2009 to 2011
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
A polar bear with hair loss (alopecia) along its neck. The bear was captured by USGS scientists using the immobilizing drug Telazol
A polar bear stands on a low-lying barrier shoal near the Huluhula River on the Beaufort Sea coast of Alaska. Coastal erosion along the Arctic coast is chronic, widespread and potentially accelerating, posing threats to infrastructure important for defense and energy purposes, natural shoreline habitats and nearby Native communities.
A polar bear stands on a low-lying barrier shoal near the Huluhula River on the Beaufort Sea coast of Alaska. Coastal erosion along the Arctic coast is chronic, widespread and potentially accelerating, posing threats to infrastructure important for defense and energy purposes, natural shoreline habitats and nearby Native communities.
Eric Reghr and Kristin Simac working on an anesthetized polar bear
Eric Reghr and Kristin Simac working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner collecting data on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner collecting data on an anesthetized polar bear
Polar bear mother and two cubs on the Beaufort Sea ice.
Polar bear mother and two cubs on the Beaufort Sea ice.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota
New insights into dietary management of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and brown bears (U. arctos)
Effects of sea ice decline and summer land use on polar bear home range size in the Beaufort Sea
Iñupiaq knowledge of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Survival and abundance of polar bears in Alaska’s Beaufort Sea, 2001–2016
Energetic and health effects of protein overconsumption constrain dietary adaptation in an apex predator
Human-polar bear interactions
Diet composition and body condition of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in relation to sea ice habitat in the Canadian High Arctic
Measuring adrenal and reproductive hormones in hair from southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Polar bear foraging behavior
Seal body condition and atmospheric circulation patterns influence polar bear body condition, recruitment, and feeding ecology in the Chukchi Sea
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics, distribution and movements, maternal denning, and methods development. The majority of our research focuses on the two polar bear subpopulation’s whose range includes Alaska: the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation that ranges between the North Slope of Alaska and western Canada and the Chukchi Sea or Alaska-Chukotka subpopulation that ranges between the northwest coast of Alaska and eastern Russia. The overarching goal of our research is to assess current and projected future responses of polar bears to a rapidly changing Arctic environment.
Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems
Video: Polar Bear Collar Cam
Video: About the Polar Bear Research Program
Video: Melting Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Polar Bears
Polar Bear Reseach Projects
Information on the status and trends of polar bear populations are needed to inform management of polar bears under US laws and international agreements.
Population Dynamics
Health and Energetics
Distribution and Movements
Maternal Denning
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Catalogue of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Maternal Den Locations in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and Nearby Areas, 1910-2018
Satellite Location and Tri-axial Accelerometer Data from Adult Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort Sea, April-October 2014
Measurement Data of Polar Bears Captured in the Chukchi and Southern Beaufort Sea, 1981-2017
Locations Collected 1985-2015 from Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) with Dependent Young Instrumented in the Southern Beaufort Sea with Satellite-linked Transmitters by the USGS
Bioelectrical Impedance, Deuterium Dilution, Body Mass, and Morphological Measures of Southern Beaufort Sea Female Polar Bears, Spring 2014-2016
Metabolic Rate, Body Composition, Foraging Success, Behavior, and GPS Locations of Female Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Beaufort Sea, Spring, 2014-2016 and Resting Energetics of an Adult Female Polar Bear
Measures of oxygen consumption and stroke frequency of a captive subadult polar bear (Ursus maritimus) while resting in water and swimming and diving in a metabolic water flume, Oregon Zoo, 2017
Accelerometer Data from Collared Female Polar Bears in the Beaufort Sea, 2009-2016
Polar Bear Distribution and Habitat Resource Selection Data, Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, 1985-2016
Data from a Circumpolar Survey on Recreational Activities in Polar Bear Habitat, 2017-2018
Denning Behavior Classifications Using Temperature Sensor Data on Collars Deployed on Polar Bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986-2013
Sensor and Location data from Ear Tag PTTs Deployed on Polar Bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea 2009 to 2011
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
A polar bear with hair loss (alopecia) along its neck. The bear was captured by USGS scientists using the immobilizing drug Telazol
A polar bear with hair loss (alopecia) along its neck. The bear was captured by USGS scientists using the immobilizing drug Telazol
A polar bear stands on a low-lying barrier shoal near the Huluhula River on the Beaufort Sea coast of Alaska. Coastal erosion along the Arctic coast is chronic, widespread and potentially accelerating, posing threats to infrastructure important for defense and energy purposes, natural shoreline habitats and nearby Native communities.
A polar bear stands on a low-lying barrier shoal near the Huluhula River on the Beaufort Sea coast of Alaska. Coastal erosion along the Arctic coast is chronic, widespread and potentially accelerating, posing threats to infrastructure important for defense and energy purposes, natural shoreline habitats and nearby Native communities.
Eric Reghr and Kristin Simac working on an anesthetized polar bear
Eric Reghr and Kristin Simac working on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner collecting data on an anesthetized polar bear
George Durner collecting data on an anesthetized polar bear
Polar bear mother and two cubs on the Beaufort Sea ice.
Polar bear mother and two cubs on the Beaufort Sea ice.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota
New insights into dietary management of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and brown bears (U. arctos)
Effects of sea ice decline and summer land use on polar bear home range size in the Beaufort Sea
Iñupiaq knowledge of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Survival and abundance of polar bears in Alaska’s Beaufort Sea, 2001–2016
Energetic and health effects of protein overconsumption constrain dietary adaptation in an apex predator
Human-polar bear interactions
Diet composition and body condition of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in relation to sea ice habitat in the Canadian High Arctic
Measuring adrenal and reproductive hormones in hair from southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Polar bear foraging behavior
Seal body condition and atmospheric circulation patterns influence polar bear body condition, recruitment, and feeding ecology in the Chukchi Sea
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.