International scientists are starting a landmark study of polar bear health in Svalbard. It’s the first time they’re ever doing fat tissue biopsies in a study like this, collecting crucial data. This cutting-edge research aims to assess the influence of long-range environmental pollutants on iconic Arctic wildlife. In particular, it examines the role of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in exacerbating their health outcomes. Project leader Jon Aars, head of the Svalbard polar bear program, noted that this was the project’s intention. Its goal is to learn how polar bears can best adapt in the wild and address the effects of both pollution and climate change.
The polar bear population in Svalbard has shown resilience since the international protection agreement established in 1976, which ended unrestricted hunting. Only 300 polar bears are thought to live in the Svalbard archipelago. They’re part of a larger population of some 2,000 bears that ranges from the North Pole to the Barents Sea. The local workforce has remained consistently stable and even experienced an increase in recent years. Regions such as the Western Hudson Bay group in Canada struggled, suffering a 27% decline from 2016-2021.
Biopsy Research Details
During this season the researchers achieved a record of 53 polar bears with successful fat tissue biopsies. Genetic analysis of these samples will yield valuable insight into how a lifetime exposure to pollutants impacts the health of bears. In addition to biopsies, the research team fitted 17 polar bears with satellite collars to monitor their movements and behaviors. This aerial helicopter tracking effort focused on 10 of these mothers with accompanying cubs or yearlings. Most notably, researchers only collared female polar bears with GPS collars.
Laura Pirard, a researcher involved in the study, explained the methodology behind this innovative project:
“The idea is to show as accurately as possible how the bears live in the wild—but in a lab,” – Laura Pirard
The research team will slice the collected fat tissue samples very thinly. After that, they’ll subject these samples to various environmental stressors, such as pollutants and stress hormones. Pirard emphasized the importance of these biopsies in evaluating the health threats polar bears face. Those risks come as a direct result of their rapidly evolving landscape.
Polar Bear Behavior and Habitat Changes
With climate change increasingly impacting Arctic ecosystems, polar bears are taking on new hunting practices. Aars noted that these bears are now spending far more time on land than they were two or three decades ago. This regulatory shift is largely a response to the shrinking sea ice.
“If they have very little sea ice, they necessarily need to be on land,” – Jon Aars
The change in habitat influenced what animals they’ve been eating too. Though polar bears continue to primarily hunt seals, they’ve adapted their diets to survive. Surface wear marks have now proved these to be reindeer and bird eggs. Unsurprisingly, they’ve even been seen grazing on grass (seaweed), even though this gives them zero nutritional benefits.
“They still hunt seals but they also take reindeer (and) eggs. They even eat grass (seaweed), even though that has no energy for them,” – Jon Aars
These behavioral adaptations underscore the survival strategies polar bears are adapting to with climate change.
Health Implications and Future Research
Though they have been exposed to pollutants for several decades, Svalbard’s polar bears show no visible signs of emaciation or ill health at this time. Aars remarked on the encouraging status of the local bear population:
“They had a good season,” – Jon Aars
Once they have completed the picture, researchers are hopeful that ongoing studies will supply more information about how pollutants could be impacting these bears long-term. Beyond just being a landmark study, it will have tremendous positive impacts on polar bear conservation. Beyond that, it will tell us a lot about the larger environmental health crisis complicatedly facing Arctic wildlife.