News · 29 January 2026
Norwegian polar bears get fatter adapting diet despite ice loss
Photo by Yomex Owo on Unsplash
Scientists discovered that polar bears in Norway's Svalbard archipelago have become significantly fatter and healthier since the 1990s, defying expectations regarding climate change. Despite losing nearly 100 days of sea ice annually, researchers from the Norwegian Polar Institute found the bears adapted by hunting land-based prey. After analyzing 770 bears between 1992 and 2019, the study suggests the predators are thriving by consuming more reindeer and protected walrus populations to replace seal blubber.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs