Posted on 10/04/2009 4:13:04 PM PDT by Steelfish
Polar Bear Spotted Riding On Its Mother's Back
[Pic in URL] Polar bear cubs ride 'piggy back' on their mother's back to avoid falling into the freezing waters of the Arctic, according to new scientific evidence.
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent 05 Oct 2009
A British holidaymaker visiting Duvefjorden, Nordaustlandet, spotted the mother bear with a seven-month-old cub hitching a ride. Photo: Angela Plumb
The behaviour has been observed in the wild before by polar bears emerging from the den for the first time or crossing open water.
However there was little research into the phenomenon and no photographic evidence.
Now a photograph by a British tourist has proved that polar bear cubs often hitch a ride with their mothers.
Angela Plumb was holidaying in Duvefjorden, Nordaustlandet, when she spotted the mother bear with a seven-month-old cub hitching a ride.
"The cub was on the back of the polar bear when it was in the water, then it got out of the water and stayed on its mother's back a little, then she shook it off," she said.
Seeing the bear had a radio collar, Mrs Plumb contacted Dr Jon Aars from the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromso.
He had heard about the phenomenon, but said there was little photographic evidence.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
But, but, I thought the earth was warming up and that ice was melting in those areas.
Do polar bears have racist attitudes toward their darker coloured cousins?
I hope the polar bears were wearing their life jackets and other water flotation devices to keep from drowning.
Wait a minute, my kindergartner was told the polar bears are disappearing — has someone spotted one? I mean two?
awwww
Bet eskimoes have been saying this for years....But of course, that's not scientific...that would be like...a rumor...
“Polar bear mom attempts to protect young from melting polar caps.”
And one picture proves "often"? Oy vey, this is science???
Attention Socialist Central Government:
Get mass transit up there for these little cubs. And make certain it's air conditioned. Global warming you know.
Oh, that was so neat. Thanks for the pic.
No, racism is strictly a white American attribute.
I read somewhere that if confronted by a grizzly, lie down and play dead. However - according to the article, this ‘defense’ does not work on polar bears who are said to just eat you whether you play dead or not.
Riding bear-back.
Mothers carrying their young? That is so uncharacteristic of mammalian life forms!
(N)ice- thanks for the pic post.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.