Polar bears shed light on Arctic pollutants -Video

A team of scientists from the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) recently embarked on a daring mission to monitor the health of these powerful predators, sedating them from helicopters to fit GPS collars and gather biological data.

Working in wind chills of –30°C, the team inserts heart monitors and takes fat biopsies to assess how climate change and pollutants affect the bears' physiology. These samples help track exposure to PFAS "forever chemicals"—toxic substances transported to the Arctic through air and ocean currents.

This year's expedition also revealed behavioural changes. As sea ice retreats, polar bears are shifting their diets, relying less on seals and more on land-based food like eggs, reindeer, and even seaweed—though these offer little nutritional value.

Despite concerns, researchers found that some bears remain in good condition and pollution levels are dropping slightly, reflecting the success of international regulations. Yet scientists warn that new pollutants continue to emerge, and climate change may soon push polar bears beyond their limits.

For the NPI team, these close encounters offer rare and crucial insights into the future of the Arctic's most iconic predator.