Polar Bear vs Walrus | Planet Earth | BBC Earth

Summary

In a dramatic encounter, a weary bear, desperate for food, faces a formidable challenge on a foggy island. As walruses form a protective barrier around their young, the bear's attempts to pry a female off her pup prove futile against her thick hide. With time running out, the bear's desperation grows. A fierce struggle ensues, as the powerful walrus drags the bear away from the shallows, ultimately slipping from his grasp, leaving the bear's survival hanging in the balance.

Takeaways

• 🏊‍♂️ The bear has just completed a swim and is exhausted, needing to regain strength.
• 🌫️ The following day is marked by a sea fog that obscures the island.
• 🦭 The walruses are aware of impending danger due to the fog.
• 🐻 The bear uses the fog as a cover to approach the walrus herd.
• 🛡️ The adult walruses form a protective barrier around their young.
• 🔍 The bear attempts to find a weak point in the walrus defense but finds none.
• 🛡️ A female walrus is particularly vigilant, shielding her pup from the bear.
• 🦷 Despite the bear's efforts, its claws and teeth cannot penetrate the walrus's thick hide.
• 🏊‍♂️ As the herd retreats into the water, the bear is under pressure to act quickly.
• 🔄 The bear, having failed with one walrus, immediately targets another.
• 🥵 The bear's desperation grows as the chance for a meal, which he hasn't had in months, is slipping away.
• ⚔️ In a critical moment, the bear must avoid the walrus's stabbing tusks to succeed.
• 💪 The walrus's powerful flailing drags the bear away from the shallow water towards the safety of the herd.
• 📉 The bear ultimately loses his grip on the walrus, indicating a failed hunt.

Q & A

What condition is the bear in after swimming?

The bear is exhausted from his swim and needs to regain his strength.

What weather condition is described for the next day on the island?

The next day, a sea fog shrouds the island.

How do the walruses react to the presence of the bear?

The walruses sense that they are in danger and the adults close ranks around their young to present a wall of blubber and hide.

What is the bear's strategy when approaching the walrus herd?

The bear uses the fog as cover to approach the walrus herd.

What obstacle does the bear face when trying to attack the walruses?

The bear faces the obstacle of the walruses' thick hide and the adults' protective formation around the young.

What is the bear's initial target within the walrus herd?

The bear's initial target is a female walrus that is shielding her pup.

Why is the bear unable to penetrate the female walrus's hide?

The bear's claws and teeth can't penetrate her thick hide.

What action does the bear take when the herd retreats to the water?

The bear must move quickly as the herd retreats to the water.

How does the bear's desperation increase as he fails to secure a meal?

The bear's desperation increases as he fails with one walrus and heads straight for another, realizing the chance of his first meal in months is slipping away.

What is the critical moment for the bear when trying to secure a meal?

The critical moment for the bear is when he must avoid the stabbing tusks of the walrus to win.

What happens when the bear is dragged away from the shallows by the powerful walrus?

The bear is dragged away from the shallows towards the safety of the herd, and his chance to secure a meal slips from his grasp.