Migration
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Why do they migrate?
- In October and November, the bears begin their move from their summer habitat on the tundra back to seal-hunting territory – the pack ice that forms every winter over bays and seas.
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Migration map and tracking method
- To track how bears travel, PBI works with polar bear researchers to place satellite collars on polar bears in different parts of the Arctic, including the Hudson Bay.
- Collars are placed on adult female polar bears for about 12-14 months. Collaring male bears is ineffective, as collars slip off male bears’ heads.
- The polar bears’ positions are transmitted with Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) from the collars on the bears’ necks to scientists, then to the PBI Bear Tracker site.
- The process of transmitting datais called radio telemetry tracking. Telemetry is one of the few means through which scientists can follow polar bears for long periods of time to monitor their movements, habitat use and the survival of cubs. This information helps scientists learn how polar bears are affected by climate change.
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Oceanographic influences on migration route
- Polar bears use their surrounding sea ice to help in hunting their prey and resting while staying disguised and safe.
- They search in ice caves for resting seal pups and use holes in the ice to catch mature seals when they appear in the gaps.
- Without sea ice there is no where for the polar bears to travel and rest on. They need the ice to disguise themselves when hunting and when catching seals in the ice gaps.
- With the melting of the ice caps its challenging for polar bears to travel there regular migratory route in order to feed and breed in certain areas.