Research Team:
- Martyn Obbard, Research Scientist
- Kevin Middel, Analytical Biologist
Project Objectives/Overview:
- Our current research efforts are focussedon polar bears in James Bay. This follows up on monitoring of movements of adult female polar bears that were fitted with GPS/satellite radiocollars from 2007-2011. Results of that study suggest that some bears spend the entire ice-covered season in James Bay and may be isolated from bears in the larger Southern Hudson Bay subpopulation
- An earlier study of the genetic structure of bears in the Hudson Bay region had suggested James Bay bears were somewhat distinct from other bears in the region
- Changes to sea ice duration and distribution are occurring faster in James Bay than elsewhere in the Hudson Bay region, suggesting that the persistence of bears in James Bay is in question
- Building on all this information, our objectives from 2012-2014 will be to monitor movement patterns of adult female bears fitted with state-of-the art GPS/satellite radiocollars on Akimiski Island and along the Ontario coast of James Bay south of Cape Henrietta Maria. Movement patterns will be analysed in relation to fine-scale satellite imagery of sea ice habitat
- In addition to monitoring movement patterns, we will document body condition of handled bears and in collaboration with colleagues at York University will document foraging patterns based on the quantitative fatty acid signature that reveals the prey animals consumed
Collaborators and Participants:
- Dr. Greg Thiemann, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University
- Brandon Laforest, Ph.D. student, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University
- Trent University, Peterborough
Funding Partners:
- Polar Bears International
- Canadian Wildlife Federation
- Born Free Foundation
Interesting Fact! Polar bears living in James Bay occur in the southernmost continuously occupied portion of polar bear range worldwide and are at great risk due to global warming
Movements of our collared bears may be followed on the website of Polar Bears International here.
