What new methods are used to monitor polar bears?

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New methods are being employed to monitor polar bears, including tracking PFAS chemicals and implanting heart monitors.

Scientists are utilising novel techniques to study polar bears, marking the first instance of tracking PFAS "forever chemicals" within the animals. These methods involve advanced procedures to gather comprehensive data on the bears' health, movement, and exposure to environmental contaminants. Such research is crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change and pollution on this apex predator.
Tracking PFAS Chemicals in Polar Bears

For the first time, researchers are monitoring the presence of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in polar bears. These persistent pollutants, originating from various sources worldwide, are found to accumulate in the animals' bodies. Samples, including fat biopsies, are analysed to assess the bears' resilience to stress and their exposure to these pervasive chemicals.
Implantation of Heart Monitors

A precise surgical procedure involves inserting a heart monitor between a layer of fat and flesh on the bear's body. This device continuously records the animal's body temperature and heart rate throughout the year. This data allows scientists to correlate the bears' energy expenditure with environmental changes, understanding how much effort they expend to navigate their evolving habitat.
Use of GPS Collars for Female Bears

Veterinarians are fitting female polar bears with GPS collars to track their movements and behaviour. These collars are not used on males due to their neck anatomy, which causes them to easily dislodge the devices. The data from these collars, combined with heart monitor readings, provides insights into how far the bears travel, their swimming and walking distances, and their resting patterns.
Collection of Fat Biopsies

In addition to blood samples, researchers collect small slivers of fat tissue from the polar bears. These biopsies are essential for laboratory analysis, enabling scientists to test the animals' capacity to withstand stress and their levels of exposure to "forever chemicals." This method aims to replicate the bears' wild experiences within a controlled laboratory setting for detailed examination.

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What new methods are used to monitor polar bears?

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