Polar bears spend much of their lives hunting seals on sea ice. With their thick blubber, layered fur and paddle-like paws, they are perfectly adapted to the icy waters of the Arctic. But as sea ice declines, more polar bears come onshore each summer, increasing the potential for more human-bear interactions. @USGS scientists and land managers are working to improve monitoring of the bears, plan better ways to protect people and increase the bears’ chances of survival. Photo at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Gregory Teller ALT TEXT: A mother polar bear and her baby sit together on the ice.