Polar bear population near Svalbard appears to be thriving despite sea ice loss

Researchers report that polar bears near Svalbard have shown improved body condition since about 2000, even as sea ice in the Barents Sea has declined sharply.

Polar bears along the Barents Sea near Svalbard have shown improved body condition even as the region has lost large amounts of sea ice. Norwegian researchers capture and measure bears each spring to track weight, length and fat reserves. The study used records from animals sampled between 1992 and 2019. The area has warmed rapidly and experienced some of the most pronounced Arctic sea ice decline. Key findings: - The analysis used data from 770 adult polar bears captured between 1992 and 2019. - The body composition index (BCI), an indicator of fat reserves, increased since about 2000. - Ice-free days in the study area increased at a rate of about four days per year during the study period. - Temperatures around the Barents Sea have risen about 2°C per decade since 1980, according to the paper. - Researchers report bears near Svalbard appear to use alternative prey (including reindeer and walrus) and may benefit from concentrated seal distributions on smaller ice areas. Summary: The study documents a local improvement in polar bears' fat reserves in the Svalbard/Barents Sea area despite rapid regional sea ice loss, contrasting with declines reported in some other populations. Authors suggest changes in prey availability and reduced competition as possible explanations, but they also caution that further sea ice reductions could increase travel distances to hunting grounds and create new challenges. Undetermined at this time.