This incredible video of sparring polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area shows the importance of mock fighting. At a time when polar bears are mostly conserving energy, they will still make sparring a priority.
Polar bears sparring in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Whether sparring satisfies staying focused and fit for potential confrontations out on the Hudson Bay ice or displaying dominance for sows, the energy exhausted during the process is substantial. Some bears have not eaten for weeks or even months yet they answer the call to spar as part of their ability to survive within the population.
Enjoy this video of some spectacular and intense polar bear sparring from Churchill!
