Probing Benefits of Play to Polar Bears and Potential Problems Posed by Tourism

Play behaviour is common in young mammals in good condition, but adult play is rarely observed, especially in mammals that are fasting. Polar bears in northern Manitoba spend several months on land fasting while Hudson Bay is free of ice, and during this time adult male polar bears frequently play. We are examining this play behaviour to determine the benefits of these energetically costly interactions, such as developing dominance hierarchies with low risk. To collect these data without impacting bear behaviour, our research program has developed several non-invasive techniques to determine body size, body condition, and the identity of free-ranging bears. We have used these new techniques to examine the influence of tourist vehicles on the behaviour of polar bears in this region. Habituation to human activities may be a larger concern for these bears than potential disturbance caused by tourism.