Observations of Polar Bear Predatory Behaviour toward Caribou

Abstract

A polar bear (Ursus maritimus) was observed unsuccessfully stalking and chasing caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in western Hudson Bay. Before chasing the caribou, the polar bear appeared to make use of wind direction and vegetation cover in order to move close to them. While there have been very few documented cases of the two species interacting, our observations indicate that polar bears will stalk and chase caribou.