A group of polar bears discovered in Greenland could survive the disappearance of the ice floe

A polar bear in George Land in the Arctic, August 22, 2021. © EKATERINA ANISIMOVA/AFP

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It is one of the most emblematic species, but also one of the most threatened by global warming: the polar bears.

They depend on the Arctic sea ice for their survival, while it is shrinking a little more each year.

But now, a new population has been discovered, on the lands of Greenland which could well survive the melting ice.

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With global warming, it is estimated that the first summer without sea ice in the Arctic will take place around the year 2030. This is a disaster, for polar bears in particular, who depend on it to move and hunt.

Are they doomed

?

Perhaps not, because a new group has just been discovered, much further south: in Greenland.

These are several hundred individuals who had never been spotted before because of the very harsh local climatic conditions.

This region is little studied.

Based on testimonies from Inuit living there, the scientists began their field work with a census and satellite monitoring.

In total, six years of investigations which are rich in lessons.

A chance of survival for the species

These bears have indeed lived for centuries in total autonomy, bordered by mountains and strong sea currents, their living area is particularly landlocked.

In this region, they can only rely on sea ice for a few months a year.

The rest of the time, they have learned to do without, taking advantage of the few pieces that break away from the glaciers to be able to hunt.

If it is more than likely that the bears of the Arctic Circle will be doomed in the long term by global warming.

This would then not necessarily mark the extinction of the species.

This population could indeed have at least a chance of survival.

►Also read: In Canada, the Inuit are concerned about the aggressiveness of polar bears

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