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Related Experiment Videos

Windscapes and olfactory foraging in a large carnivore.

Ron R Togunov1, Andrew E Derocher1, Nicholas J Lunn2

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada.

Scientific Reports
|April 13, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Polar bears use a cross-wind search strategy for hunting prey, especially at night during winter. Their movement patterns are influenced by wind conditions, with downwind travel during high winds and reduced orientation in summer.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Wildlife Movement Analysis
  • Sensory Ecology

Background:

  • Optimal olfactory search theory suggests cross-wind movement is most effective for detecting prey.
  • Empirical evidence for wind-directed searching in large carnivores is limited.
  • Understanding predator search strategies is crucial for conservation and ecological modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the olfactory search strategy of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) using telemetry data.
  • To determine if polar bears exhibit cross-wind movement patterns consistent with optimal olfactory search.
  • To correlate movement behavior with wind conditions and seasonal factors.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of satellite-linked telemetry data from adult female polar bears in Hudson Bay, Canada.

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  • Comparison of movement data with modeled wind data to assess orientation.
  • Examination of movement patterns in relation to time of day, season, and wind speed.

    • Main Results:

    • Cross-wind movement was most frequent during winter nights, coinciding with peak hunting periods.
    • Downwind movement predominated during high winds, likely due to impaired olfaction.
    • Migration patterns were correlated with wind during sea ice freeze-up and break-up; reduced orientation occurred in summer.

    Conclusions:

    • This study provides the first quantitative evidence of anemotaxis (orientation to wind) for cross-wind search in a large carnivore.
    • The findings suggest that wind conditions significantly influence polar bear hunting behavior and movement.
    • Incorporating windscapes into habitat selection models is recommended for olfactory-oriented animals.