Oregon
Oregon Zoo-tested tech helps in study that finds wild polar bears are losing weight on land as sea ice melts – KTVZ
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A rapidly warming Arctic is taking a toll on polar bears, according to a new study using technology beta-tested at the Oregon Zoo.
The study — published this week in the science journal Nature Communications— set out to learn how wild bears are coping as the sea ice they depend on disappears for longer portions of the year.
Though classified as marine mammals, polar bears are increasingly using land in the fall and summer seasons due to declines in the sea ice, which serves as their hunting platform for ringed and bearded seals, their primary prey.
“Wild polar bears live and hunt seals on Arctic sea ice,” said Dr. Karyn Rode, a research wildlife biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. “But as the ice melts in many parts of the Arctic, they have to spend more time on land, away from their main food source.”
To learn whether the bears might be able to adapt to these changing conditions, Rode and her colleagues deployed collars equipped with video cameras — and sensors tested at the Oregon Zoo — to track 20 bears summering on land over a three-week period.
“The bears we observed employed different survival strategies,” Rode said. “A few rested to save energy, but most remained active. Instead of seals, they ate berries, grasses and bird carcasses.”
Two bears made long swims in open water and found marine mammal carcasses, but they were unable to feed while swimming, she said. Though polar bears are capable of swimming long distances, previous zoo-assisted studies indicate they use more energy traveling by water.
After three weeks of monitoring, Rode says, the findings were not encouraging.
“All but one of the bears lost weight over the observation period,” Rode said, “This indicates that polar bears cannot adapt to spending increasing periods on land. More time spent on land results in more weight loss, depleting critical energy reserves needed to support reproduction and survival.”
It’s not good news, but conservationists say the data will be helpful for those working to save polar bears in the Arctic.
“The findings help us understand how polar bears survive in the wild,” said Amy Cutting, vice president of conservation for Polar Bears International. “As sea ice retreats, scientists and wildlife managers need to know how polar bears are responding.”
This isn’t the first time Oregon Zoo bears have lent a helping paw to conservation science. In 2012, polar bears Conrad and Tasul became the first of their species to allow voluntary blood draws. The breakthrough was huge in terms of advancing animal well-being and veterinary care, and it also opened the door to other possibilities. Polar bears are extremely difficult to observe in the wild, and the zoo’s training advances presented a unique opportunity to fill critical knowledge gaps.
After reading a news story about this milestone, Rode reached out to the zoo for assistance with her Arctic research. Zoo bears helped Rode and her colleague Anthony Pagano learn how climate change is affecting the diets of wild polar bears, calibrate tracking collars, and understand the caloric requirements of wild polar bears on land and at sea.
“Zoo bears are perfect candidates to help,” Cutting said. “They already participate in many healthcare behaviors voluntarily, and that has led to some breakthrough studies.”
All these collaborative efforts couldn’t come at a more urgent time. Polar bears are classified as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission has designated the species as facing a high risk of global extinction.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Planned increases to Oregon’s gas tax, DMV fees, and payroll tax are on hold after a petition garnered enough signatures to challenge parts of a recent transportation funding bill.
The Oregon Secretary of State’s office confirmed that the petition, led by the group No Tax Oregon, will place the issue on the November ballot.
The group, spearheaded by Republican legislators Sen. Bruce Starr and Rep. Ed Diehl, launched the campaign following Gov. Tina Kotek’s approval of the bill last November.
On Dec. 12, No Tax Oregon submitted over 190,000 signatures to the Secretary of State.
The delay raises questions about the impact on the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and transportation funding.
On this week’s segment of Your Voice, Your Vote, KATU’s Angelica Thornton interviewed Rep. Ed Diehl and Rep. Susan McLain, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, to discuss the implications of the referendum.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (4)
Watch the full Your Voice, Your Vote segment below or on KATU’s YouTube channel:
J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Oregon Ducks’ 23-0 Orange Bowl win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders was the eventual planted seed for the soon-to-be Peach Bowl next Friday, as they will rematch the Indiana Hoosiers for a chance to go to the national title game in Miami.
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Despite losing to the Hoosiers during the regular season, the Ducks’ resilience has shone through since, making On3’s J.D. PicKell cautiously optimistic the Ducks could turn the tables on the No. 1-seeded Hoosiers.
“That might be the greatest gift this football team could have had, in the context of this season,” PicKell said. “That loss, I think, was a big reason why you’ve seen Oregon grow and progress the way they have in this College Football Playoff.”
PicKell said Oregon’s ability to “grow” has been apparent this postseason so far.
“Very different from last year’s team, when it comes to the way they’re evolving, the kind of ball they’re playing right now in the second round of the College Football Playoff,” PicKell said. “I think a lot of Oregon’s growth, you’ve got to give credit to some of the scars they have over the course of this season.”
We’ll see if PicKell’s words hold true, but it seems the Ducks have a shot to make the postseason even more interesting.
Come next Friday, we’ll find out.
The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
1PM: 0-2-6-1
4PM: 0-2-4-1
7PM: 4-3-9-2
10PM: 6-3-9-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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