Study Reveals Insights into Critical Early Life of Polar Bear Cubs
Polar bear mothers and their cubs face challenges in the Arctic as researchers document their emergence from birthing dens and highlight conservation needs.
- Polar bear cubs are born blind and hairless around New Year, weighing just 500 grams, and grow to 10 kilograms by the time they leave their dens between February and April.
- A multi-year study using cameras and tracking collars on Norway's Svalbard archipelago found that polar bear families typically begin emerging from dens around March 9, often returning before permanently leaving about two weeks later.
- Researchers observed that cubs rarely venture out of dens without their mothers, emphasizing their dependence during this vulnerable phase of development, which lasts up to 2.5 years.
- The study highlights the importance of protecting denning habitats, as the survival of polar bear populations is threatened by climate change and increased human activities such as Arctic resource extraction.
- Findings published in the Journal of Wildlife Management underscore the need for targeted conservation efforts to safeguard critical habitats and support the species' long-term survival.
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