Bears from space: scientists try to count polar bears using satellite imagery

Scientists are experimenting with the ultimate in hands-off monitoring of Canada’s polar bear population by counting the animals from space.

Using high-resolution satellite imagery, researchers at the University of Minnesota are counting polar bears in the Canadian Arctic from hundreds of kilometres above the Earth.

The bears look like tiny white dots — but that’s enough to give scientists an idea of their numbers.

The technique is only useful on clear days and when the white bears stand out against terrain.

Nor does it give any information on how healthy the population is.

Still, scientists say it’s one way to check on bears in places that are hard to get to and it can be done without bothering the animals.

The technique is also being tried on other animals from penguins to whales.