My cubs have grown into a beautiful adolescence, and they look in great shape.
They are 2 and a half years old and their mother has just left possibly to find another mate.
The cubs seek comfort in each other.
Little do I know that this is the last time I'll see them together.
It won't be long before they too split up and find ranges of their own solitary animals.
The male is quick to show signs of independence.
He appears inquisitive, a little impatient.
Is it us? Does he recognize our smell?
I'll never know.
All I do know is he isn't camera shy and for the moment he's not threatening his admirers, so I keep rolling.
The more I observe him, the more he reminds me of his mother.
Same behavior, same reflexes.
This time he's onto something.
He is now a fully fledged powerful predator.
Almost half of all white coats die in this way.
The rate of predation may seem high,
but after a long evolution and co-existence with polar bears, ringed seals have survived well till now.
Second to none on the ice, polar bears between the ages of 3 and 5 do have one unbending enemy; famine.
Only those that apply the right hunting techniques survive.
Selection in the Arctic is ruthless.
We stand in awe of this young bears success.
He's learned the lessons of his mother, and is now fit to live on his own.