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Journal Article
Terrestrial Foraging by Polar Bears during the Ice-Free Period in Western Hudson Bay
Andrew E. Derocher, Dennis Andriashek and Ian Stirling
Arctic
Vol. 46, No. 3 (Sep., 1993), pp. 251-254
Published
by: Arctic Institute of North America
https://www.jstor.org/stable/40511413
Page Count: 4
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Topics: Polar bears, Vegetation, Vaccination, Land, Seals, Sea ice, Animal age determination, Grizzly bears
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Abstract
Food habits of polar bears on land during the ice-free period in western Hudson Bay were examined between 1986 and 1992. In contrast to previous studies, feeding on vegetation during the ice-free period was common. Between August and October, evidence of feeding was found in 34% of the females and 26% of the males captured over 10 km inland from the coast. The primary forage was Vaccinium uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum berries. Feeding was most common in subadults and females. The incidence of feeding on berries varied annually from 2 to 41%. We were not able to determine the energetic importance of terrestrial foraging, but the intake may reduce the rate of weight loss of bears on land, particularly in years when berries are abundant. /// On a étudié les habitudes alimentaires des ours polaires à terre durant la période libre de glace dans l'ouest de la baie d'Hudson entre 1986 et 1992. Contrairement aux études antérieures, l'alimentation végétale durant la période libre de glace était commune. Entre août et octobre, on a pu documenter l'alimentation chez 34 p. cent des femelles et 26 p. cent des mâles capturés dans une zone s'étendant jusqu'à 10 km à l'intérieur des terres. Le fourrage principal était constitué des baies Vaccinium uliginosum et Empetrum nigrum. La nourriture était surtout consommée par les jeunes adultes et les femelles. L'incidence de l'alimentation constituée de baies variait annuellement de 2 à 41 p. cent. On n'a pas été en mesure de déterminer l'importance énergétique de l'alimentation végétale terrestre, mais son absorption pourrait réduire le taux de perte de poids des ours à terre, en particulier les années où il y a une abondance de baies.
Arctic © 1993 Arctic Institute of North America