Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey are reporting a steep decline in the number of polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea. In a study published on Monday, they show the population dropped 40 percent in the first 10 years of this century.
Between 2004 and 2007- out of 80 cubs the researchers observed, they only know of two that survived.
Jeff Bromaghin is a USGS researcher and lead author of the study. He says more cubs from that group may have survived, but the scientists didn’t see them.
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