Behavior of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs post-den emergence at the Detroit Zoo.

In the wild, female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) with cubs may spend extended periods of time within the den following initial emergence. As a result, studying behavioral development of cubs at the denning site has been difficult and unreliable. Although care staff at zoological institutions have easier access to animals, every effort is made to minimize intrusions to maternal groups, which presents research limitations.