Page 28 - An-introduction-to-Svalbard

POLAR BEAR (Ursus maritimus)

The King of the Arctic is probably the animal most of us associate with Svalbard – and also
the one most of us hope to see. The polar bear is constantly on the move along the Arctic
coasts and on the ice, where seals are its favourite meal.
The polar bear is considered the World's largest terrestrial predator. An adult male in
Svalbard can weigh up to 800 kg. The record in Canada is 1030 kg! Females are smaller,
and weigh about 350 kg. Under the white fur the skin of the polar bear is black, just like the
skin of the brown bear.
The polar bear lives in solitude, except during the few weeks of the mating season in
spring, and the period of up to two and a half years when the females take care of their cubs.
The female usually gives birth to two cubs in December, and remains in her snow den until
the end of March when she will have lost some 100 kg in weight during a fast of 5 -7 months.
It does not hibernate, but the metabolism is lowered. When the cubs are rejected, the female
is ready to mate again.
The male polar bear remains active on the ice all winter and only buries itself under the
snow during heavy snowstorms. Biting winter cold and long periods of starvation are a natural
part of life of the polar bear.
The polar bear in Svalbard is protected, and the population is now between 2500 and
3000 individuals. Yet the future of the polar bear is uncertain. Melting sea ice is a threat, as
are the large amounts of toxic pollutants transported from afar, since the polar bear is at the
top of the food chain.