Distribution, Movement and Abundance of Polar Bears in Lancaster Sound, Northwest Territories

Abstract

Mark-recapture studies show that polar bears are distributed at varying densities throughout Lancaster Sound during winter and spring. Major concentrations occur along the north and south coasts and the transverse floe edge at the mouth of the sound. As the ice melts, some bears move west whereas others move to nearby land areas. There is some evidence that as the ice forms, polar bears return from their summer locations to eastern Lancaster Sound. Polar bears of Lancaster Sound are part of the larger population whose western range extends to Barrow Strait, Prince Regent Inlet, Wellington Channel and Jones Sound. The southern and eastern range limits are unknown although this population may extend at least to Clyde River on northeastern Baffin Island and probably to Greenland. Maternity denning appears to be widespread over the study area probably because of the abundance of suitable habitat. We estimated a population of 1031 ± 236 polar bears in Lancaster Sound during 1979: however, more estimates are needed to determine if this relatively high number is normal for the area.

Key words: polar bear, distribution, movement, abundance, Baffin Bay, Lancaster Sound, summer retreat, denning