Effects of climate change: Scientists find isolated subpopulation of polar bears | Climate Tracker

Our next story is about polar bears. They typically depend on solid sea ice to hunt and keep their bellies full. But now scientists have discovered a new group of polar bears in southeastern Greenland that do things differently. Instead of making use of fresh water pouring into the ocean from the region's glaciers, they use a slushy mix of fresh water, snow and ice as a platform to hunt seals. This new population may offer clues on how polar bears that are currently facing an existential threat from the rapid decline of Arctic sea can now survive. The study further suggests that this particular group of polar bears is less susceptible than others to climate change. Further tantalizing the possibility of survival even after the Arctic sea ice completely disappears, the southeastern Greenland polar bears are genetically distinct from polar bears that are found elsewhere in the country, making this small group of a few hundred polar bears. They are found a couple of degrees south of their closest relatives that reside in more typical polar bear environments. Generally, the southeastern bears are not well studied because of the unpredictable weather and heavy snowfall at the rugged southern tip of Greenland. However, the study that we are talking about right now was only possible after ecologists at the University of Washington's Polar Science Center were able to access the unforgiving region with heavy-duty helicopters. We are now available in your country. Download the app now. Get all the news on the move.