Predation of belugas and narwhals by polar bears in nearshore areas of the Canadian High Arctic

Abstract

The authors found 4 narwhals Monodon monoceros and 2 belugas Delphinapterus leucas stranded on a low beach at Creswell Bay, Somerset Island. All of the narwhals and 2 of the belugas had been attacked and partially eaten by polar bears Ursus maritimus. Belugas seem to exhibit curiosity towards swimming polar bears that might normally drive bears out of the area and reduce the risk of predation. The potential large summer food resource for bears represented by odontocete whales in the High Arctic Archipelago seems to be underutilized. -from Authors