New system better detects polar bear dens

New technology may better detect polar bear dens in the Arctic. Researchers found that an imaging system using Synthetic Aperture Radar had a 66% percent detection rate, compared to a 45% accuracy rate using current Forward Looking Infrared systems.

Den detection is important as energy industry activity increases in the Arctic. Denning is a vulnerable time for polar bears, when the young are particularly dependent on their mothers. Affecting bears’ ability to raise their cubs can result in significant population declines.

Publishing their findings in the journal Ursus, researchers found the new system is better able to penetrate the snow.

“The system can ‘see’ both the top snow surface, the den roof surface and inside the den cavity,” said co-author Bernhard Rabus, an engineering professor at Simon Fraser University.

Read the study here.