The world’s largest bears have invaded the city: why are they here and where are they going (video)

Every year, in a small Canadian town, a line of the world’s largest bears suddenly appear as polar bears begin their migration. The massive movement of the world’s largest bears is directly related to the return of sea ice they need for hunting. But to reach the “city of seals” the animals have to pass through the Canadian town of Churchill, the “polar bear capital of the world”, according to IFLScience.

The long stay of this species on land definitely pleases scientists because they have enough time to study polar bears and their lifestyle. Biologist and conservationist Alice McCall of Polar Bears International (PBI) travels each year from late October to November to observe polar bears and their migration.

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Note that polar bears in this region come onto land during the summer months as they leave the sea ice. All this time, animals eat little and save energy, because they live mainly on fat reserves.

Human-induced climate change has led to longer summer months and increased land use for bears, whose natural habitat was much larger in the past. Previous research has already shown that polar bears display remarkable flexibility in adapting to environmental changes, but everything has its limits. Unfortunately, the real problem is that the amount of time animals can spend on land before starving to death is limited. Given the continued decline in Arctic sea ice, polar bears are likely to spend more time on land in the future, threatening the species.

As the weather begins to change, bears almost line up to begin their migration and return to the ice. According to McCall, as winter approaches, animals begin to move towards the coast; As soon as the ice in Hudson Bay freezes, the animals will disappear from town. There they will begin to hunt their main prey, seals. Polar bears eat tons of seal blubber and consume thousands of calories as fuel for the next season.

The annual migration of polar bears through the town of Churchill has led locals to use sirens and horns to reduce interaction with the animals. In addition, researchers have created a “Bear-dar” early warning radar designed to alert communities and remote camps to the approach of a bear.

At the same time, for scientists, polar bear migration times are the best time to learn more about the animals’ behavior. Until sea ice returns, researchers will livestream the animals so everyone can watch their movements.

Previously Focus He wrote that the Arctic has become a purgatory for bears: the bears’ legs are covered with ulcers and cuts.