The Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago was visited by Russian explorers during 1930-32, and observations of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were first recorded incidental to expedition members hunting polar bears for food and fur. A joint Russian, Norwegian, and U.S. research effort on polar bear ecology in the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago was initiated in 1991. A total of 11 bears were captured, including 5 adult females which were fitted with satellite collars. Two satellite collars failed soon after deployment (≤25 locations), but 3 units functioned for an extended period of time (>50 locations). A majority of the movements were confined to the eastern Kara Sea, but 1 bear moved into the western Laptev Sea before returning to the eastern edge of the Kara Sea near Cape Cheluskin. One bear had a very restricted movement pattern closely associated with the 2 northwestern islands in the Severnaya Zemlya group (Komsomolets and Pioner Islands). The combined locations for the 5 collared bears depict an overall range that is centered around the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago. Minimum estimates of distances traveled for 3 bears with >50 locations averaged 4,183 km. The daily rates of movement for the study period varied between bears and ranged between 6.4 and 14.7 km/day. The rate of movement during minimum sea ice cover was the highest (12.7 km/day) for 4 defined periods, while rates of movement for the other 3 periods were very similar (8.5-9.3 km/day). Polar bears in this region of Russia do not move long distances to maintain contact with the sea ice, in contrast to polar bears in the Chukchi Sea in eastern Russia which move over large areas to maintain contact with the sea ice throughout the year.
- Volume 10
- Issue
- Pages 33-40
- Publication Date 1 January 1998
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