Norway - March 31, 2024 Credit: Polar Bears International / Norwegian Polar Institute / San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Svalbard, Norway – A breathtaking glimpse into the secretive world of polar bear cubs has been unveiled by researchers, capturing rare footage of the tiny newcomers stepping out of their snowy dens for the first time. This landmark study, released today on International Polar Bear Day in the Journal of Wildlife Management, showcases nearly a decade of footage from remote cameras placed in the rugged Arctic mountains of Svalbard. Conducted by experts from Polar Bears International, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and the University of Toronto Scarborough, the research peels back the curtain on the elusive denning habits of polar bears—a vital yet fragile phase where cub survival hangs in the balance. The footage reveals polar bear families emerging around March 9th in Svalbard, earlier than expected, raising questions about how climate change might be reshaping this critical period. With less than half of cubs surviving to adulthood, the denning phase is a make-or-break moment for the species. Moms and cubs lingered near their dens for an average of 12 days after emerging, though some stayed as little as two days while others stretched it to a month. In a surprising twist, some mothers even relocated their families to new dens, showcasing their adaptability in the harsh Arctic landscape. “Polar bear mothers are facing growing challenges to raise their young as the Arctic transforms,” said Dr. Louise Archer, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto Scarborough. “Every moment we captured tells a unique story, helping us build a clearer picture of this vulnerable time and arm conservationists with better tools to protect them.” The study’s revelations come at a pivotal moment. As industrial activity creeps further into the Arctic, undisturbed denning sites are more crucial than ever. The researchers paired satellite tracking collars with timelapse cameras to track thirteen dens over six years, uncovering behaviors like cubs’ near-constant reliance on their mothers—venturing out alone just 5% of the time—and the occasional fleeting peek outside, sometimes lasting less than a minute. These insights not only deepen our understanding but also lay the groundwork for new wildlife management tools to safeguard polar bear habitats across the Arctic. “This is a window into a world few have seen,” said Dr. Megan Owen of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Protecting these denning areas isn’t just about saving cubs—it’s about securing the future of polar bears in a region under siege by change.” Right now, newborn cubs across the Arctic are nestled in dens, growing rapidly from their tiny, half-kilogram selves into 10-kilogram bundles of fur, fueled by their mother’s rich milk. As spring nears, these families will emerge between February and April, their first steps marking both a triumph and a test in an increasingly uncertain world. With this study, scientists hope to tip the scales toward survival for a species teetering on the edge.