An adult polar bear (Ursus maritimus) swimming and hauling itself onto ice floe in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, Arctic, Europe

polar bear ursus maritimus swimming ice floe svalbard arctic norway wildlife nature marine mammal ice habitat cold environment animal behavior survival predator ecological niche snow arctic circle island north environment preservation climate polar regions ocean arctic ecosystem exploration conservation biodiversity fauna winter frosty drifting ice habitat loss predators large mammals arctic wildlife isolation natural behavior marine ecosystem wildlife protection tourism natural world outdoor adventure research expedition icy waters seasonal changes ecological study