Polar Bear at Oregon Zoo Equipped to Help Scientists Understand Climate Change's Effects

In an effort to better understand how polar bears are responding to the ongoing retreat of sea ice, the US Geological Survey has equipped an Oregon Zoo polar bear named Tasul with a high tech-collar that, researchers say, will allow them to create a sort of "digital fingerprint" of polar behavior.

"Our research shows that polar bears are being displaced from sea ice habitats they formerly used," Anthony Pagano, a wildlife biologist with the USGS Alaska Science Center leading the study, said in a press release. "This collaborative project with the Oregon Zoo will help us understand the implications between going to land or staying with the ice as it retreats hundreds of kilometers north into the Arctic Basin."

The collar, which contains an accelerometer like those found in most smartphones, turns every step, swim and meal into an electrical signal. By pairing this incoming information with video of the bear as it wears the device, the scientists will then be able to calibrate the signals, and ultimately place similar gadgets on free-roaming bears in the Arctic in order to allow for remote observation.

"Scientists and wildlife managers need to understand how polar bears are responding as sea ice retreats," said Amy Cutting, Oregon Zoo curator. "But polar bears are notoriously difficult to study in the wild. Direct behavioral observations are nearly impossible."

However, before they could even place the "techessory" on the animal, the keepers had to first acclimate the bear to different types of neckwear over several months through the use of a special training module that allows close -- but safe -- access.

Tasul, it turns out, doesn't seem to mind.

"Tasul was the perfect candidate for this study because she already participates in many health-care behaviors voluntarily, as opposed to requiring tranquilization," Cutting said. "She doesn't mind wearing the collar and actively cooperates. She is a very curious bear and seems interested in all the extra attention from keepers."

For the zookeepers involved in the project, they agree the collaboration represents an exciting opportunity.

"There's a lot we need to learn about how climate change is affecting polar bears," Cutting said, "so it's very rewarding to see Tasul offering researchers a chance to study this threatened species in a new way."