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Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

Order	Carnivora
Family	Ursidae

 

Alan Wilson

Also known as: White Bear, Ice Bear, Nanuk

Fast Facts
Length	2.6 m
Weight	400 kg
Lifespan	15-18 years
Habitat
Predators	Humans
Conservation Status
Yukon	S1 (Critically Imperilled)
Global	G3 (Vulnerable)
Yukon Population Estimate: 1500

 

Description

• Largest of all bears, all white fur, sometimes tinged with yellow stain
• Dark nose and eyes
• Long streamline body and head

Behaviour

The largest of Yukon’s 3 bears, Polar Bears spend much of their lives out on the sea ice hunting.  During summer they can be found on land at the coast. In autumn when the Beaufort Sea ice moves southward until it joins with the Yukon coast, Polar Bears return to the better seal hunting areas over shallow coastal waters.  Polar Bears are superb swimmers and are fully carnivorous, unlike other bears that eat a lot of plant matter.   

Diet

Ringed Seals, Beluga, Bowhead Whale

Signs

Tracks Hind: 17.3 x 19.8 cm	Signs Tracks in dried mud
Sound (roar)
Alternative content - radio interview

 

Mammals and People

• Inuvialuit peoples used to hunt Polar Bears using dogs to distract the bear, then shoot arrows or throw spears at the bear.  Hunters believed that they would only be successful if they treated the bear properly after death. 

Viewing Opportunities

• Herschel Island Territorial Park is just about the only place you’ll be able to spot a Polar Bear in Yukon, though they can be found on the North Slope as well.
• With no predators, Polar Bears are extremely curious and bold, with no fear of humans.  Visitors to the arctic coast are warned to never stray too far from camp with out a firearm for protection. 

Links

• Full mammal description
• Species At Risk Info Sheet - Polar Bear