October 6, 2010 – Polar Bears Seen Rock Climbing

The shrinking ice flows in the Canadian Arctic are forcing polar bears to seek food on rock cliffs. In a new study in the journal of Polar Biology, Paul Smith of Environment Canada noticed polar bears were moving ashore and climbing rock cliffs to eat the chicks and eggs of nesting birds. The authors of the study believe, “The recent intrusions of polar bears onto near-vertical cliffs to consume eggs and chicks of thick-billed murres, a potentially hazardous situation for bears, further demonstrate the lengths to which these opportunistic animals may go to supplement their diet during a longer ice-free season.”

More details here.