Svalbard polar bears defy rapid sea ice loss and remain in good physical condition. FEB 2, 2026

Photo: Polar Bears in Nature, by Francisco Ungaro (Pexels free)

Svalbard polar bears defy rapid sea ice loss and remain in good physical condition

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Despite experiencing one of the fastest rates of sea ice decline in the Arctic, polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago of northern Norway have shown an unexpected increase in body fat. The finding comes from a recent study published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports and challenges trends observed in many other polar bear populations.

The Barents Sea region, which includes Svalbard, is among the fastest-warming areas on the planet. Over recent decades, Arctic temperatures have risen two to four times faster than the global average. In parts of the Barents Sea, air temperatures have increased by up to 2°C per decade over the past 40 years. During a similar period, sea ice habitat in the region has shrunk by around four days per year — more than twice the rate recorded in other polar bear habitats.

Even so, researchers analyzing the Body Condition Index (BCI) of 770 adult polar bears between 1995 and 2019 found that after declining until about 2000, the index began to rise in the following years, despite the rapid loss of sea ice. In practical terms, the bears became heavier and accumulated more fat reserves.

According to biologist Jon Aars of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the study’s lead author, the results were surprising. The most likely explanation is a shift in feeding behavior. Spending more time on land, Svalbard’s polar bears have increasingly preyed on terrestrial animals such as reindeer, as well as walruses. Both species have recovered in recent decades after periods of intense human exploitation, making them more readily available as food sources.

Changes in sea ice have also affected the behavior of ringed seals, the polar bears’ primary prey. As ice becomes more fragmented, seals tend to concentrate in smaller areas, which may temporarily make hunting easier under certain conditions.

The findings, however, should not be interpreted as a sign that polar bears are safe from climate change. In other regions, such as Canada’s Hudson Bay, studies have documented a significant decline in polar bear body condition linked to warming temperatures and ice loss.

Independent researchers, including French ecologist Sarah Cubaynes, emphasize that the impacts of climate change on polar bears vary greatly from one region to another.

Aars himself cautions that the bears’ current good condition does not guarantee long-term stability. Typically, a decline in body fat is one of the earliest indicators of future demographic problems, preceding drops in survival and reproduction. While Svalbard’s polar bears can still rely on alternative prey for now, they remain fundamentally dependent on hunting seals on sea ice.

The study concludes that the situation in Svalbard highlights a complex relationship between climate, ecosystems, and animal behavior. It also delivers a clear warning: even polar bear populations that currently appear resilient are likely to face negative impacts in the near future if sea ice continues to disappear at the current pace.

The Green Amazon News – International

This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.

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