Who: Environment and Climate Change Canada. Project lead: Polar Bear Research Scientist Dr. Evan Richardson. Project personnel include Jamie Enook (Wildlife Technician, Environment and Climate Change Canada) Dr. David McGeachy (Wildlife Technician, Environment and Climate Change Canada) Holly Gamblin (PhD candidate, University of Manitoba) Brooke Biddlecombe (Post doc, University of Alberta) Two local guides from Pond Inlet (individuals TBD)What: To observe polar bear habitat use and foraging behavior in Navy Board Inlet/Eclipse Sound using tracking surveys and direct observations of bears. We will work with local guides to track bears through different types of sea ice habitat and make observations of polar bear foraging behavior.This research will quantify individual movement paths on the sea ice using fine scale movement GPS tracks and record individual foraging behavior to provide more refined estimates of energetic expenditure, energetic intake rates and first passage times for foraging polar bears foraging on the sea ice. To determine the extent to which individual bears either benefit or are impacted by interactions with conspecifics at kill sites we will perform a simple cafeteria experiment using hunter harvested ringed seals that are placed on the sea ice. Total available seal biomass will be estimated and observations will be made of time until detection (e.g. how long it takes bears to find a kill), detailed foraging behavior (e.g. preferential consumption of different tissue types), individual interactions, total number of bears foraging on a kill, foraging by other species (e.g. gulls/foxes) and time until the kill is completely consumed. Why: To better understand both community and scientific knowledge perspectives on polar bear habitat use. Where: Our research will be based out of Pond Inlet, Nunavut and occurs in the areas around Bylot Island directly adjacent to the community on the landfast sea ice. Specifically Navy Board Inlet and Eclipse Sound. When: May 01 - June 30, 2026