Arctic | Mammals
Wildlife health in a changing Arctic environment: Pathogen exposure among Chukchi Sea polar bears Presenter: Caroline Van Hemert , cvanhemert@usgs.gov, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Karyn Rode , krode@usgs.gov, US Geological Survey Ryan Wilson , ryan_r_wilson@fws.gov, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Susannah Woodruff , susannah_woodruff@fws.gov, US Fish and Wildlife Service Michelle St. Martin , michelle_stmartin@fws.org, US Fish and Wildlife Service Kristy Pabilonia , kristy.pabilonia@colostate.edu, Colorado State University Matthew Smith , mmsmith@usgs.gov, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
The Arctic is undergoing rapid environmental change, with current estimates of warming nearly four times the global rate. Among other climate-related challenges, some wildlife and zoonotic diseases, particularly those with environmental transmission cycles, are expected to increase or expand. Factors such as rising temperatures, higher precipitation rates, and increased runoff can directly affect pathogen persistence and transport. At the same time, many wildlife species, including those that occur at the marine-terrestrial interface, are experiencing pronounced shifts in range or habitat use, leading to novel community interactions and new opportunities for pathogen exchange. For polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ), increased land use associated with declines in sea ice may present elevated risks for disease transmission, particularly for pathogens of terrestrial origin. In this study, we present preliminary serologic data from Chukchi Sea polar bears for a suite of parasitic, viral, and bacterial pathogens, all of which are considered high zoonotic and wildlife disease priorities. We screened both archived and contemporary serum samples, allowing for comparison of pathogen exposure over two temporal periods: 1988–1994 and 2008–2017. In contemporary samples, we detected Neospora caninum (64.6%), Fransicella tularensis (30.8%), Toxoplasma gondii (12.1%), Coxiella burnetii (17.9%), Brucella abortus (8.4%), and canine distemper virus (CDV; 62.3%). Of these, we observed an apparent increase in N. caninum , F. tularensis , T. gondii , and CDV between historical and contemporary periods. Additionally, we are assessing relationships between pathogen exposure and relevant ecological parameters, including age, sex, diet, and land use. This study will provide important baseline information about polar bear health as well as insights about the influence of environmental and host factors on disease transmission in the rapidly changing Arctic. As apex predators vulnerable to multiple climate-related stressors, polar bears are of critical conservation concern and serve as important sentinels of ecosystem health.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 270
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