Polar bear maternity denning in the Beaufort Sea

The temporal and spatial distribution of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) maternal denning in the Beaufort Sea region of Alaska and Canada was studied to improve the understanding of the effects of hunting and industrial development on polar bears. The study protocol involved capturing and attaching radio-collars on bears from 1981-91. The results showed that of 90 dens found, 48 were on pack ice, 38 were on land and four were on land-fast ice. Predictable denning chronology and lack of denning site fidelity may mitigate the effects of human activities on polar bear reprodduction.