Have you seen polar bears hunting reindeer?

– We can’t be everywhere all the time, so now we are seeking help from the public. Descriptions, photos, and videos are of great value to us, even from a long distance, says researcher Åshild Ønvik Pedersen.

Investigating new behaviour

A group of researchers at the Norwegian Polar Institute is currently mapping the extent to which polar bears hunt on land and what it could mean for the populations of both polar bears and reindeer.

People who venture into nature in Svalbard see a lot that we might miss. Perhaps you’ve been on a trip and have captured photos or videos of such events?

–  We have known for more than 20 years that polar bears can find new prey if it becomes harder for them to hunt seals on the sea ice. Observations and research from recent years suggest that we are in the middle of a development where polar bears are increasingly finding alternative food sources, such as reindeer on land, says researcher Jon Aars. Aars along with fellow researchers Marie-Anne Blanchet and Åshild Ønvik Pedersen, is asking the people in Svalbard for help.

Have you seen events like this? The researchers would love to hear from you! Lianna Nixon observed a polar bear hunting reindeer in 2023. Photo: Lianna Nixon/Colorado

All information of value

In 2025, new regulations in the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act came into effect on January 1. The rules state, among other things, that you must keep at least 500 meters distance from polar bears between March 1 and June 30. For the rest of the year, you must keep a minimum distance of 300 meters.

These rules are enforced by the Governor of Svalbard, who is the environmental authority in Svalbard. 

Are you still interested in observations, even if the quality of the pictures is poor and it is difficult to determine the age and sex of the animals?

–  Yes, absolutely! Any information we receive is a plus, and we can learn a lot from a photo or video, even from a long distance, says researcher Åshild Ønvik Pedersen, who is the project leader for the survey.

–  Equally important is receiving observations where no photos or videos are available. A short description of the event and location is helpful—preferably with GPS coordinates if you have them.

In other words: Don’t hesitate to get in touch, even if you find it difficult to see the animals in the pictures or if you think the image quality is poor. Observations that are not captured on camera are also important. The researchers are interested in everything.

Project leader Åshild Ønvik Pedersen and her research colleagues at the Norwegian Polar Institute are seeking help from the people in Svalbard to map polar bears hunting reindeer. Photo: Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud, Norwegian Polar Institute

Successful and unsuccessful attacks

The researchers seek descriptions of both successful and unsuccessful attacks, for example:

• Date, time, and location. Preferably GPS coordinates if you have them.
• Your contact information.
• Describe the event (as best you can).
• Photos and videos are very valuable if you have it, regardless of quality.
• If possible, describe the animals’ behavior during any attacks/attempts. Please include an estimate of how long the attack or attempt lasted.
• If possible, describe the polar bear. Gender, age, condition, and if it has a collar, ear tag, or number on its rear.
• If possible, describe the reindeer, gender and age.

Send it to the researchers at observation@npolar.no

Seen reindeer carcasses?

Information about reindeer carcasses likely killed by polar bears is also very valuable to the researchers, for example:

• Date, time, and location where you found the carcass
• Your contact information.
• Describe the carcass and the location where it was found.
• If possible, describe the reindeer’s gender and age.
• Photos are also valuable.
• Tracks and signs that could indicate the reindeer was killed.

Send it to the researchers at observation@npolar.no

Thanks for helping out, Svalbard.

Reindeer carcass in Adventdalen. Photo: Eva Fuglei, Norwegian Polar Institute

Relevant links:

Governor of Svalbard: New environmental regulations enters into force on 1 January

Lovdata.no: Act relating to the Protection of the Environment in Svalbard