First-Ever Footage Reveals Polar Bear Cubs Emerging From Arctic Dens

A decade-long study using remote cameras and satellite collars sheds light on polar bear denning behaviors critical for cub survival.

Researchers tracked polar bear mothers in Svalbard, Norway, combining GPS satellite collars and remote cameras to study denning behavior over nearly a decade.
The study found polar bear families emerged from dens around March 9th, with some abandoning their dens earlier than previously recorded, potentially risking cub development and survival.
Cubs were observed relying heavily on their mothers, venturing outside the den alone only 5% of the time, and staying near the den for an average of 12 days after emergence.
Some mothers were seen relocating their cubs to new dens, a behavior documented through the study’s innovative tracking methods.
The findings underscore the importance of protecting Arctic denning habitats as climate change and human activities increasingly threaten polar bear populations.