Grizzly–polar bear hybrid
| Grizzly-polar bear hybrid | |
|---|---|
| File:Hybridpolargrizzlybear.jpg Grizzly-polar bear hybrid, courtesy of the Canadian Wildlife Service | |
| Hybrid parentage | Ursus maritimus x U. arctos horribilis |
| Cultivar | Ursus maritimus horribilis |
| Origin | Northwest Territories, Canada, 2006 |
The first documented wild Grizzly-polar bear hybrid was discovered near Sachs Harbour on Banks Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, reportedly in April 26 2006.[1]
Overview
The bear was shot by Jim Martell, an American hunter.[1] Later, officials took interest in the creature after noticing that the bear had thick, creamy white fur, typical of Polar Bears, as well as long claws; a humped back; a shallow face; and brown patches around its eyes, nose, back, and one foot, which are all traits of grizzly bears.
A DNA test confirmed that it was a hybrid.[1] It is the first documented case in the wild[2], though it was known that this hybrid was possible and other ursid hybrids have been bred in zoos in the past. The grizzly bear and polar bear are sufficiently close genetically that it is thought that their offspring may be fertile, unlike mules.
Other names
The media have referred to this animal with portmanteau names such as grizzapole, pizzly, grolar bear, grolar, polargrizz or nunalak [3] (a portmanteau of the parent species' names in Inuktitut); however, there is no general consensus on the use of any one of these terms. As a result, the hybrid semi-scientific name Ursus maritimus horribilis, from Ursus maritimus (Polar Bear) and Ursus arctos horribilis (Grizzly Bear), has been used.
In popular culture
Soon after the announcement of the Grizzly-polar bear hybrid, Stephen Colbert, host of the show The Colbert Report, featured the hybrid on his "ThreatDown" segment counting the top-5 threats to American security. His character has a phobia of bears, which he refers to as "godless killing machines".
References
- ^ a b c MSNBC.MSN.com URL last accessed 11 May 2006.
- ^ Iol.co.za URL last accessed 11 May 2006.
- ^ As It Happens, CBC Radio One, 10 May 2006 URL last accessed 11 May 2006
External links
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