CHD Report post Posted May 12, 2006 DNA Test Confirms Rare Grizzly-Polar Bear Species By Digital Journal Staff Digital Journal ? A DNA test of a bear shot in Canada?s Northwest Territories has revealed the animal was a mix between polar bear and grizzly. Researchers believe it is the first time this has ever been discovered in the wild. Jim Martell, a U.S. hunter in Canada?s Northwest Territories, was paid a reported $50,000 CAN ($45,000 US) to hunt polar bears. Shot on April 16 by the Idaho native, local media began describing the animal as a ?grolar bear?, a ?pizzly? and Martell?s personal favourite, a ?polargrizz?. In an interview with The National Post, Martell said, ?Everybody thought it was a Polar bear, and then they started looking more and more and they seen other features that resembled some of a Grizzly as well.? The bear looked like a polar bear but with strange colouration. It had thick, creamy white fur usually found on polar bears. But it also had traits of grizzlies such as long claws, a humped back, a shallow face and brown patches around its eyes, nose, back and on one foot. Scientists with the Northwest Territories? Department of Environment and Natural Resources looked at the animal?s genetic makeup compared to samples taken from both polar bears and grizzlies. The results confirmed a very rare hybrid of both types of bear, and perhaps the first recorded ?polargrizz? found in the wild. More tests are currently being performed to determine the bear?s age and find out if the mother was a polar bear or grizzly. Geneticists have linked the two species, believing grizzlies migrated north about 250,000 years ago to hunt seals. Over time, their fur turned white and the polar bear species was born. Up until now scientists believed it to be nearly impossible for the two species of bear to mate, as both bears mate at different times of the year, and grizzlies mate on land while polar bears mate on ice. In rare instances, polar bears and grizzlies have produced mixed offspring in captivity, but never in the wild. Roger Kuptana, Martell's hunting guide, told cbc.ca, ?Some of the elders here in town say in the past there's been grizzly sightings but usually they fight.? Martell?s tag permitted him to hunt polar bears, but officers were initially threatening to charge him with shooting a grizzly bear, an offence that would have put him in jail for one year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BASS Report post Posted May 12, 2006 That is very interesting indeed. I would like to find a photo of this thing if anyone has seen one floating around somewhere and see it for myself, there has to be a "trophy" photo somewhere! *EDIT* See, I told you there had to be one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BASS Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Oh well too slow again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEERSLAM Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Wow I think "trophy of a lifetime" is over used but I think this bear qualifies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KGAINES Report post Posted May 12, 2006 From the photos it just looks like it has two black eyes, he should have been hunting whatever punched it. On a serious note, can you imagine shooting it and then you got to prove that you thought it was just a polar bear, not a rare one of a kind polargrizz, hopefully he is clear of any trouble in this deal, cool pics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Will USFW let him bring it back to the US? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEERSLAM Report post Posted May 16, 2006 On the B&C website they say this bear came from a male grizzly and female polar bear. The hunter was allowed to keep the bear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BowhuntCoues Report post Posted May 16, 2006 I guess from now on we might have to have the bear hike a leg so we can tell the sex too. Thats one amazing bear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
