These two giant polar bears are close to the same age and size. Polar bears, almost always males, will often exhibit a behavior known as play fighting, wrestling, jawing, or simply sizing each other up. Bear biologists think this is most likely a way for the large males to test each other before breeding season starts in the spring.
I typically see males checking each other out during the time they’re waiting onshore for the ice to freeze. These two were getting to know each other several years ago when I was working in the Cape Churchill area in Wapusk National Park.
Get involved and join our friends at Polar Bears International (PBI) for Polar Bear Week, happening now! Help spread the word! Here’s a special Ambassador Toolkit PBI has allowed us to pass on to you that contains information and messaging you can use to help spread the word on your own social media platforms. Let’s ramp it up for polar bears!
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