Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 05:01
Forums
Ocean Dynamics Beaufort Sea

Hi there,

 I was wondering, have any of your fellow scientists or any of the crew seen polar bears up close (as in going out on the ice and having a polar bear confrontation)? If so, how many of the crew/scientists have seen them?

 Also, what exactly do polar bears eat (I imagine mostly fish, but maybe something out of the ordinary)?

Has diver man gotten any fish for you guys yet? If not, put him to work with his little harpoon!

 Do you guys have a mini-submarine you use for research? If so, what research is conducted inside? If not, why don't you have a submarine?

What happens if animals get a little to hostile or curious towards the equipment (primarily the equipment under the water)?  

 

Thanks and good luck!

 

Kameron K. 

Mon, 08/04/2008 - 10:40

Gerty Ward

Hello Kameron,
Thanks so much for following along. It is always exciting for thescientists up here to hear from interested students like you!
1) I asked Rick Krishfield about underwater animal disturbances. While hehas no direct evidence, he has seen seals go under the edge of the flowwhile they are working so they are aware and curious about a new object intheir environment.
Above the water, on the ice is another story. See the attached photo forsome evidence of animal curiosity (photo courtesy of Andrey Proshutinsky,WHOI).

2)I asked Chief Engineer Don Stortts about the submarine. The LSSL doesnot currently have an underwater vehicle. Instruments such as these arebrought on board by scientists and, right now, no one is using one intheir research.
3)Polar Bears are quite fond of seal!
4)From the ship, many polar bears have been sighted. While on the ice,though, they have been fortunate to have no close encounters. An armedscout always accompanies the scientists on the ice, just in case.
5)Most fish up here is caught with nets. Diver man is a movie star! Please see 23 July post Bongo Bingo.
Thank you for the good questions and good wishes Kameron!
Mrs. Ward