Expert: Ralph Salier - 11/19/2008

Question
Hello I was wondering about grolar bears (grizzley bear/polar bear hybrids in the wild). Apparentlly they are breeding due to climate change, is this just a process of getting rid of intermediate species or is it really our fault for increasing the climate.   and if so has climate change frequently influenced behaviors of animals in this way before.

Answer
Hi Sarah,

It is possible but it is a very very rare occurance.  In the wild only one or two may have been found.  It may be more common in captivity where it is done on purpose to retain the genetics of two individuals.  I'm not sure if it has anything to do with climate change since the territories of both over lap.  I imagine that a female bear in heat, may be very attractive to a male bear of any species.