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Data, with special reference to object manipulation, were collected on 14 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) held in 8 zoos in the British Isles. More than 1,200 hours of observations were collected from 1989 to 1991. Time scans were made at 5-minute intervals and focal event sampling provided information on object selection, bout length, and behavior on land and in water. Analyses included individual and sex differences in amount, frequency, and complexity of object manipulation. The male bears had higher levels of object manipulation overall, but 24% of the females' manipulative bouts were longer than those of the males. Bout frequencies indicated an organizational difference between the sexes with all but 1 of the females having fewer sessions per hour. Responses to a wide range of objects and food items were recorded and categorized. Findings indicated that the behavioral repertoire of polar bears was more diverse than expected and that bears of all ages and both sexes showed a high level of motivation, ability, and skill toward this kind of activity.