Scientists have found genetic changes in polar bears that could help some populations adapt to global heating, offering cautious hope for a species under severe threat from climate change.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia discovered that polar bears in south-east Greenland differ genetically from those in colder northern regions. The study found increased activity of so-called “jumping genes” — mobile DNA elements that influence how other genes function — in bears living in warmer, less icy environments.
These genetic shifts affect genes linked to heat stress, ageing and metabolism, suggesting the bears may be adjusting biologically to rising temperatures and changing food sources. Southern Greenland bears, for example, rely more on varied and plant-based diets than northern bears that depend heavily on seals.
Published in the journal Mobile DNA, the research is believed to be the first to show a statistically significant link between climate warming and DNA changes in a wild mammal. Scientists say the findings could help identify which polar bear populations are most at risk and guide future conservation strategies.
However, researchers warned that genetic adaptation alone will not be enough to save the species. With up to two-thirds of polar bears expected to disappear by 2050, they stressed that cutting global carbon emissions remains critical to preventing extinction.
