Wanderer In A Cold Land
The latest research suggests that the Arctic is warming by almost four times the global average and that the first summer in which practically all Arctic sea ice will melt could occur as early as 2027. Polar bears are intrinsically linked to the Arctic sea ice, following the ever changing ice in search of the seals that make up their main source of food. Polar bears wander over vast areas of the frozen Arctic as they hunt for seals. As the Arctic warms and the extent and duration of the sea ice decreases, polar bears have less time to hunt for seals, increasing the time they have to fast and rely on their fat reserves. Global warming is a threat to the survival of the Arctic’s polar bears.
With the sea still frozen along the shores of Woodfjorden in Northern Svalbard in April, I photographed this polar bear from a zodiac inflatable boat as it wandered along the ice in search of the seals that were pupping at this time of year.
Polar bear photographed with the Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens.