Researchers are observing more cannibalism among polar bears

Seals are usually on the menu of polar bears. In the end, however, the animals increasingly came closer to human settlements. Now researchers are reporting another observation.

Moscow (AP) - Russian researchers observe more cases of cannibalism among polar bears. Ily Mordvinsev from the Severzov Institute for Environmental and Evolutionary Problems at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow said that the animals had hunted and eaten more often in recent years.

However, it was unclear whether this was only due to climate change. "In some seasons there is a lack of food. Large males then attack females with boys."

Usually the bears hunt seals on the sea ice. Because the Arctic Ocean is ice-free for longer, they go ashore foraging. In recent months there have been repeated reports that polar bears have approached human settlements. Something like that is becoming more and more common, said Mordwinzew.

According to him, the bears are adjusting to the rising temperatures. "The animals adapt better and better to the conditions." But there had been cannibalism among polar bears before. But the increase is a matter of concern.

Researchers also explain the increase in cases by the fact that more and more people lived in the regions and could observe such incidents. Mordwinzew called oil and gas workers and soldiers. "In the past, there weren't that many people in the Arctic who could record cases of cannibalism. Now, such clues no longer come only from researchers." No numbers were given.

Mordwinzew described the state of the polar bears observed as good. A study from last year showed that the animals had switched to plants and bird eggs as food in the summer. Not a single dead polar bear with exhaustion symptoms was found on the coasts and islands examined.

Russia is now counting the polar bears on its territory for the first time. With the largest monitoring in history, the country wants to learn more about the life of the endangered species.

Sewerzow Institute for Environmental and Evolution Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences