Scientists can collect polar bear DNA — by following their tracks

Polar bear tracks outside of Arviat. Researchers in Europe have been able to isolate DNA from polar bear’s footprints in the snow. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

Scientists have developed a new way to collect data on polar bears, without having to interact with these large Arctic predators.

Earlier this year, team of scientists with the French firm Spygen, working in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, tracked polar bears during an expedition in the Norwegian Arctic.

But in this case, all it took were two tiny scoops of snow from a polar bear’s footprint. When the snow from the polar bear’s track was melted down and filtered, scientists were able to collect tissue cells left behind and isolate the polar bear’s DNA, which carries genetic information about the animal.

“The results are really exciting,” said Eva Bellemain, project leader for Spygen. “This is the first time we have been able to extract DNA from a track left by a polar bear — we found not only the bear’s DNA, but also that of a seal and a seagull.”

“We know from observations by the WWF team that the bear in question had just killed a seal, and that seagull had been seen at the kill site too, so this one footprint tells the whole story.”

In a Sept. 2 release, WWF called the new technique an invaluable tool for conservation biology.

“At present, researchers use expensive, invasive techniques to track the population size and health of wildlife such as polar bears,” said the WWF’s Arnaud Lyet.

“Using footprint DNA, we could dramatically cut the investment required, so monitoring populations could be done more easily.”

The DNA specialists Spygen have already tested the same technique on other species in its European labs. Working with WWF, the team plans to refine its analysis of polar bear DNA, and also try to apply the same method to other rare or difficult-to-access wildlife.