Inuit have observed cannibal polar bears for many years

In a recent article on CNN.com, polar bear researchers say they observed polar bears turning to cannibalism in the southern Beaufort Sea. This behaviour is considered new for this region and is attributed to climate change.

Andy Derocher, chair of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Polar Bear Specialist Group, is quoted as stating, “Nothing like this has ever happened before, despite quite extensive research.”

However, cannibalism among polar bears is not a new behaviour to Inuit who have coexisted with polar bears for hundreds of years. It is also not new behavior to several senior, world-renowned polar bear researchers, including Mitch Taylor, Ray Schweinsburg, and Thor Larsen.

These researchers have summarized and confirmed instances of polar bear infanticide and cannibalism across the Arctic. Ian Stirling has also confirmed that infanticide undoubtedly occurs in his book Polar Bears.

Inuit hold polar bears in high esteem because of their keen intelligence. Prior to the introduction of the rifle, Inuit hunted these animals for food and clothing with knives, harpoons and dogs trained to hunt polar bears. Inuit became expert polar bear hunters and acquired a wealth of knowledge of the animals’ behaviour through constant and long-term observation. Inuit continue to closely observe bears in their natural habitat, and this knowledge continues to be passed down to succeeding generations.

For example, Inuit have frequently observed very large male polar bears stalking smaller polar bears. They have also observed males killing cubs, possibly to make female bears more accessible for breeding. Inuit have also observed, but less frequently so, polar bears fighting with each other to gain access to a female in oestres. Inuit have come across dead polar bears and, like crime scene investigators, examined the scene to deduce what took place. In some cases, it was the result of larger bears hunting smaller bears.

David Tuktujuk is a polar bear hunter and a guide for big game in Repulse Bay. He states that cannibalism among polar bears is not new. Inuit who lived off the land witnessed incidents of polar bears stalking other polar bears, especially in lean times. David witnessed a male polar bear stalking a female polar bear with two cubs at the floe-edge. He also observed cubs hiding from a male polar bear.

Barthelemey Nirlungayuk is a hunter from Kugaaruk. He and Joe Angutingunniq witnessed a polar bear that stalked, killed and consumed parts of another polar bear.

Inuit have observed that, like all other wildlife populations in the Arctic, there are natural cycles that contribute to the occurrence of this behaviour. Because cannibalism is not new among polar bears, its apparent emergence in the southern Beaufort Sea may be more complex than simply attributing it to climate change. It may be indicating the population is overabundant, thereby forcing bears to compete for limited food.

Raymond Ningeocheak
2nd Vice-President
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.