North Pole climate changes effect of polar bears.

[Swede]

A team of polar bear scientists is trying to find out if a shorter sea-ice season is reducing the number of cubs in Hudson Bay.

Ice in the bay has been breaking up two to two-and-a-half weeks earlier than normal in recent years, the scientists say.

That means polar bears must now live off their fat for at least four months every year, when the ice has broken up and receded and the bears can't hunt seals. The reduced diet could harm their condition and reproduction, scientists fear.

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/07/06/sci-tech/polar_bears040607