Polar bear predation of reindeer

[grrraaahhh]

Abstract


Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are believed to be obligate predators on marine mammals, and particularly, on two species of seals. This paper reports on observations of polar bears preying (n=7) and scavenging (n=6) on Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhyncus). Similar to their closest evolutionary ancestor, the brown bear (U. arctos), polar bears are opportunistic and will prey on ungulates. Reindeer are likely of minor importance to the foraging ecology of polar bears in Svalbard, but the observations suggest behavioural plasticity in response to a novel prey item.

DEROCHER, A.E., WIIG, Ø., and BANGJORD, G. 2000. Predation of Svalbard reindeer by polar bears. Polar Biology 23:675 – 678.

www.springerlink.com/content/0n6f9lv46d30c644/



Interesting Highlights:

• Body size and energetics were postulated as significant factors governing how bears of different body size hunt ungulates (Stirling and Derocher 1990).
  
  
• In particular, larger bears hunt by stalking close to their prey and then make a short rush, while smaller bears may be able to sustain longer chases (Stirling and Derocher 1990).
  
  
  
• On Wrangel Island, Russia, it was reported that polar bears were only able to catch sick reindeer incapable of running (Belikov 1976).
  
  
  

Material follow up:

Belikov, S. E. 1974. Behavioral aspects of the polar bear, Ursus maritimus. International Conference Bear Res. and Manage. 3:37-40.

PDF LINK: www.bearbiology.com/fileadmin/tpl/Downloads/URSUS/Vol_3/Belikov_Vol_3.pdf

[Deleted]

We don't always get articles like that. It is said the polar bear is acctually capable of outrunning a reeindeer over a short distance.
Hower, its not a surprise saying that the sick can only be caught as it is regarding most predator/prey relationship.

[sarus]

¨
Polar Bear Kills Svalbard Reindeer

In what researchers described as an extremely rare event, a polar bear
has killed a reindeer (an adult male - "bull") on the islands of Svalbard late last year (2008).
According to a report from the Norwegian Polar Institute. The Polar Bear, a female,
is one with a satellite transmitter attached, allowing researchers to monitor
the bears movements throughout the year – and locate the exact point of
the incident. According to researcher Jon Aars, if there are many years
of poor ice conditions, polar bears may continue to move inland for prey
and in doing so offer clues as to how they might adapt to a warming Arctic.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

► www.reindeerblog.org/2009/01/07/polar-bear-kills-svalbard-reindeer/

► www.npolar.no/no/nyheter/2009/2009-01-06-reinsdyr-tatt-av-isbjornbinne.html
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
.

[grrraaahhh]

Sept 9, 2012 10:14:12 GMT -9 sarus said:

¨
Polar Bear Kills Svalbard Reindeer

In what researchers described as an extremely rare event, a polar bear
has killed a reindeer (an adult male - "bull") on the islands of Svalbard late last year (2008).
According to a report from the Norwegian Polar Institute. The Polar Bear, a female,
is one with a satellite transmitter attached, allowing researchers to monitor
the bears movements throughout the year – and locate the exact point of
the incident. According to researcher Jon Aars, if there are many years
of poor ice conditions, polar bears may continue to move inland for prey
and in doing so offer clues as to how they might adapt to a warming Arctic.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

► www.reindeerblog.org/2009/01/07/polar-bear-kills-svalbard-reindeer/

► www.npolar.no/no/nyheter/2009/2009-01-06-reinsdyr-tatt-av-isbjornbinne.html
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
.

Nice find...thanks.