Research | Queen’s University Canada

Polar Bear Denning

This photo demonstrates the collection of snow from inside a maternal polar bear den to collect environmental DNA. When the mother digs out the den, skin cells from its paws are abraded and stuck to the snow. Some preliminary research shows that we may be able to identify individual bears by analyzing these snow samples, information which can inform polar bear population management. My research is a pilot of ground-based non-invasive polar bear monitoring techniques, with a focus on Inuit inclusivity. Inuit Elders and polar bear hunters were key knowledge holders and collaborators throughout this research.
Submission Year: 
2022
Photographer's affiliation: 
Graduate student
Academic areas: 
Arts and Science
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
Art of Research categories: 
Partnerships for inclusivity
Photo: 
[Photo of a researcher collecting snow from inside a maternal polar bear den to collect environmental DNA]
Categories: 
Grad student
Faculty of Arts and Science
School of Environmental Studies
Resurgent Indigenous Research in Local and Global Contexts
Sustainability, Environment and Resources
Protecting the Natural Environment
Location of photograph: 
Coral Harbour, Nunavut
Photographer's name: 
Scott Arlidge
Display Photographers Affiltion + Faculty or Department: 
Graduate Student, School of Environmental Studies