“Svalbard (and the Barents Sea area) has experienced a much faster loss of sea ice than other areas having polar bears,” Aars tells Popular Science. “The bears are not hunted, they have few competitors when on land, and they may have more alternative prey sources when on land than in most other areas.”

Polar bears are particularly vulnerable to climate change, as they rely on sea ice to hunt seals. A new study analyzed a small subpopulation of polar bears in southeastern Greenland and found small genetic changes, likely in response to environmental ...

If you had to guess which bear is more dangerous — the polar bear or the grizzly — what would your answer be? As climate change continues to reshape the Arctic, shrinking sea ice has forced these two powerful predators into overlapping territories more ...

New research reveals a link between rising temperatures and changes in polar bear DNA, which may be helping them adapt and survive in increasingly challenging environments. The study by scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) discovered that some ...

Bear X33991 leading her two cubs along the ice. Dave Sandford / Discover Churchill (Wildlife Photographer, Guide, and Polar Bears International Photo Ambassador) Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six ...