Svalbard’s polar bears keep body condition despite rapid ice loss, study finds

Polar bears in Svalbard have not lost body condition despite rapid sea ice loss (Jon Aars/Norwegian Polar Institute/PA) -

Polar bears in Svalbard have stayed in good physical condition despite rapid loss of their sea ice habitat due to climate change, a study has found.

Scientists behind the study said they would have expected the polar bears in the Norwegian Arctic islands to get “skinnier” as the warming climate reduces the opportunity to hunt seals on the sea ice.