Polar bears have a wide variety of roles in the wild.

A recent study just published in the scientific journal Oikos discovered their impact on the food chain for arctic species goes farther than once thought.

Here is Holly Gamblin, a PhD candidate from the University of Manitoba, who was part of the research team.

“This particular study is highlighting the fact that polar bears have this really interesting feeding strategy that you don’t see from other apex predators. They are what’s called a blubber specialist where when they make a kill, they are really interested in that fat content on the marine mammal prey. They are physically and logically adapted to consuming blubber, this is what helps them survive periods that might not be as suitable for hunting and foraging.”

The study estimated that polar bears leave behind approximately 7.6 million kilograms of their prey annually, creating a massive and vital food source for a wide network of Arctic scavengers.

Learn more about the research that was carried out in Churchill. Catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.