OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLAN

FOR

POLAR BEARS

IN ALASKA

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Marine Mammals Management

1011 East Tudor Road

Anchorage, Alaska 99503

May 2015

 
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Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3

I. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 4

A. Authorities 4

B. Current Population, Distribution, and Life History 5

C. Susceptibility to Oil Spills 8

D. Response Plan Training Requirements 11

II. RESPONSE STRATEGIES 12

A. Primary Response 14

B Secondary Response 18

C. Tertiary Response 24

III. LIST OF CONTACTS 29

IV. REFERENCES 30

V. APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Carcass Collection Form 37

Appendix 2. Field Sample Collection Form 39

Appendix 3. Electric Fence Guidelines 41

Appendix 4. Deterrence Guidelines 42

Appendix 5. Pre-emptive Capture Form 45

Appendix 6. De-oiling and Animal Care Guidelines 46

Appendix 7. Equipment/Supply List 51

Appendix 8. Assessment Record 61

Appendix 9. Monitoring Form 63

Appendix 10. Decision Matrix 64

Appendix 11. NRDA guidelines for Alaska 65
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This plan was edited by Susanne Miller, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals 

Management. The editor thanks the following individuals for their valuable suggestions during 

development and review of earlier versions of this plan: Dick Shideler (Alaska Department of 

Fish and Game), Dr. Carrie Goertz and Brett Long (Alaska SeaLife Center); Randi Myerson 

(American Zoological Association); Jason Herreman and Todd Sformo (North Slope Borough); 

Amy Cutting (Oregon Zoo); Bill Winhall (Sea World at San Diego); Catherine Berg, Dr. Terry 

DeBruyn, Monica Farris, Craig Perham, Dr. Shannon Torrence, and Jim Wilder (U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service); and Dr. Dan Mulcahy, Dr. Karen Oakley, and Dr. Lily Peacock (U.S. 

Geological Survey).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extends a special thank you to Lee Majors (Alaska Clean 

Seas); Shannon Jensen and Pat Lampi (Alaska Zoo), and Linda Klim and Dr. Riley Wilson (Pet 

Stop) for their contributions to this plan; for designing, constructing, and storing polar bear oil 

spill response equipment; for their assistance with handling orphan cubs; and for their vision, 

skills and dedication to improving polar bear response capabilities. We also thank Karla Dutton 

and the Defenders of Wildlife for their significant contributions to construct polar bear cleaning 

tables and transport cages. 
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OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLAN FOR POLAR BEARS

I. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. Authorities

When a spill occurs in Alaska, wildlife response activities are conducted in accordance with the

Alaska Federal/State Preparedness Plan for Response to Oil and Hazardous Substance 

Discharges/Releases (Unified Plan), Annex G: Wildlife Protection Guidelines for Alaska. The 

Unified Plan and Wildlife Protection Guidelines (WPG) are available at: 

http://www.akrrt.org/plans.shtml.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) employees respond as part of the Incident Command 

System (ICS) structure described in the Region 7 Spill Response Plan for Oil and Hazardous 

Substances, available at https://inside.fws.gov/go/post/r7_spill_response. A field pocket guide is 

also available at this site. 

Polar bear response is conducted under Service oversight and as described in this document, the 

Oil Spill Response Plan for Polar Bears in Alaska (Polar Bear Response Plan), which is 

available at www.fws.gov/contaminants. The purpose of the Polar Bear Response Plan is to 

provide guidance to Service employees and their response partners and designees for conducting 

response activities during an oil spill in Alaska that could affect polar bears (Ursus maritimus) or 

their habitat. Service employees include those that are involved specifically in polar bear 

response activities; partners and designees are listed in Section III, List of Contacts. Other

response personnel that are not directly involved in polar bear response activities, but are 

operating within polar bear habitat, may also find elements of this plan useful. 

General oil spill response procedures are conducted under authority of the Oil Pollution Act, 

Clean Water Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 

Act. Additionally, the Service has responsibility for managing and protecting polar bears under 

authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407) and 

the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C.1531 et seq.). In Alaska, the Service's 

management goals for polar bears are to conserve polar bears and ensure their survival in the 

arctic ecosystem. Therefore, during an oil spill the Service will respond to minimize loss of polar 

bears and adverse impacts to their prey and habitat to the extent feasible. 

The MMPA provides protection to marine mammals, including polar bears, by prohibiting ―take‖

which is defined as: to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt capture, or kill any 

marine mammal. Several exceptions exist that provide authority to take marine mammals if an 

oil spill were to occur. For example, the Service, State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 

and North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management (NSB DWM) officials may use 

the authority provided under section 109(h)(1) of the MMPA to take polar bears ―in the course of 

official duties, if done in a humane manner, and if such taking is for the protection or welfare of 

the mammal, protection of the public health and welfare, or nonlethal removal of nuisance 

animals.‖ Additionally, section 112(c) authorizes the Service to ―enter into such contracts, leases, 
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cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of 

this title [Title I: Conservation and Protection of Marine Mammals] or [Title IV: Marine 

Mammal Health and Stranding Response] and on such terms as [t]he [Secretary of the Interior] 

deems appropriate with any Federal or State agency, public or private institution, or other 

person.‖ Thus the Service has the authority to ―take‖ polar bears, e.g., haze them away from oil 

in the environment, and to transfer this authority to other qualified individuals/organizations.

Non-government partners involved in polar bear response should have or obtain section 112(c) 

authority from the Service’s DMA office (see Section III, Contacts) specific to their polar bear 

response activity, e.g., short-term holding/animal care. 

During oil spill response activities, human safety is the most important factor. In some instances 

a polar bear may need to be killed if it poses a threat to human life. Section 101(c) of the MMPA 

allows the taking of a marine mammal ―if such taking is imminently necessary in self-defense or 

to save the life of a person in immediate danger.‖ Such taking must be reported to the Service 

within 48 hours.

Since 2008, polar bears have also been protected under the ESA which contains similar take 

prohibitions for threatened or endangered species as the MMPA. To streamline and clarify how 

polar bears would be managed under these laws, a final rule (78 FR 11766) under section 4(d) of 

the ESA was developed and became effective in March 2013. The 4(d) rule states that polar 

bears will continue to be managed primarily under the provisions set forth in the MMPA and the 

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (27 U.S.T. 

1087) (CITES). Activities that are authorized or exempted under the MMPA or CITES will not 

require additional authorization as a result of the ESA polar bear listing. However, the overlay 

provisions of the ESA, such as the consultation requirements of section 7, remain unchanged 

under the 4(d) rule; if a federal nexus exists, then a section 7 consultation with the Service 

continues to be required. Thus, in the event of an oil spill, a section 7 consultation with the 

Service will be required for activities that seek to prevent, minimize or mitigate spill impacts on 

polar bears or their habitat. Section 7 consultation (or ―conferencing‖ on candidate species) 

would also be required for any other potentially affected listed species, or their designated 

critical habitat.

B. Current Population, Distribution, and Life History

1. Population Range, Size and Status

Range: Polar bears occur throughout most ice-covered seas in the Northern Hemisphere. For 

management purposes, polar bears are divided into 19 sub-populations (hereafter referred to as 

stocks) world-wide (Obbard et al. 2010). Two of these polar bear stocks occur in Alaska: the 

southern Beaufort Sea (SB) stock and the Chukchi (CS) Sea stock (Figure 1). The SB stock 

ranges between (approximately) Point Hope, Alaska on the western boundary, and Banks Island, 

Northwest Territories, Canada on the east (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2010a). The CS stock, 

also referred to as the Alaska-Chukotka population, occurs in the northern Bering, Chukchi, and 

eastern Siberian seas and may range into the Beaufort Sea as far as the Colville River Delta 

(Garner et al. 1990, Amstrup 1995, Amstrup et al. 2005). An area of overlap between the two
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stocks occurs in Alaska between the Colville River Delta and Point Hope (Garner et. al. 1990, 

Garner et al. 1994, Garner et al. 1995, Amstrup 1995, Amstrup et al. 2005).

Figure 1. Range of the Southern Beaufort Sea and the Chukchi/Bering Seas polar bear subpopulations.

Population size: The most recent size estimate for the SB stock is 900 animals (Bromaghin et. 

al. 2015); the stock is believed to be declining (see Polar Bear Specialist Group status table at 

http://pbsg.npolar.no/en/status). A reliable size estimate for the CS stock is currently unavailable 

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2010a); sea ice loss and potential unsustainable human removals 

are population concerns. 

Conservation status: In 2008, after conducting an extensive status review (Schliebe et al. 2006) 

of all polar bear stocks world-wide, the Service listed polar bears as ―threatened‖ under the ESA, 

due to current and projected sea ice loss. The Service is in the process of identifying actions to 

manage bears under changing environmental conditions. Current conservation efforts are focused 

on research, harvest management, and mitigating impacts on polar bears in terrestrial and nearshore areas, including areas that overlap with human settlements and work areas.

2. General Distribution

Polar bears are distributed over large areas in a non-uniform manner, depending on life history 

requirements such as feeding and reproduction (Mauritzen et al. 2003, Durner et al. 2004). They 

prey primarily on ringed seals (Phoca hispida) whose distribution and availability fluctuates with 

ice conditions or other factors (Stirling and McEwan 1975; Stirling and Archibald 1977; Stirling 

and Latour 1978). Therefore, polar bears may be more abundant in localized areas during certain 
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times of year and may be patchy in their distribution at other times of the year. For example, in 

spring polar bears may concentrate in areas where ringed seal pups occur. 

Beaufort Sea region: In the Beaufort Sea region all sex and age classes of polar bears, except 

females with cubs-of-the-year, are most often distributed in the transition zone – the active ice 

zone seaward of shore-fast ice (Stirling et al. 1993). Females with first-year cubs are more 

frequently located in stable near-shore fast ice areas. Durner et al. (2004) found that in spring,

bears used ice regions that cover relatively shallow water with ice concentrations of greater than

90% and composed of ice floes 2-10 km in diameter. During the summer and fall open water 

period, most polar bears typically remain with ice as it retreats from shore; however, an 

increasing use of terrestrial coastal habitat by polar bears has been observed since the 1990s 

(Amstrup 2000, Monnett and Gleason 2006, Schliebe et al. 2008). Specifically, polar bears 

aggregate in areas such as Point Barrow, Cross Island, and Barter Island where bowhead whale

remains (Balaena mysticetes) have been deposited by Alaska Native hunters during fall whaling 

(Miller et al. 2006, Schliebe et al. 2008). Coastal surveys confirm that the area around Barter 

Island sustains the highest density of polar bears in this region prior to freeze up (Schliebe et al. 

2008). Winter habitat use is associated with shallow water areas; 75% of observations in winter 

occurred in waters less than130 m deep, correlating with the active ice zone parallel to shore 

(Durner et al. 2004). 

Chukchi/Bering Seas region: In the Chukchi and Bering seas region, bears have been observed 

by village residents throughout the year along the coast between Barrow and Wales scavenging 

on marine mammal carcasses (Kalxdorff 1997). Generally, however, they remain off shore from 

Alaska’s coast on drifting pack ice where seals can be found (Lentfer 1972). During fall and 

winter months polar bears generally move from north to south in association with advancing 

pack ice. Polar bears may be more numerous along the coast when winds are from the north and 

west (Lentfer 1972). In spring, they may be attracted to shore-fast ice during seal pupping; 

results from studies conducted in 2008-2010 indicate that a relatively large number of bears can 

be encountered off shore from Point Hope (Rode and Regehr 2010). Recently during summer 

months, polar bears have been observed along Alaska’s northwestern coast during years when 

Pacific walruses haul out on shore, as occurred in 2007 and 2009 (Joel Garlich-Miller, pers.

comm. 2009). An increase in coastal use by polar bears related to presence of walrus haul-outs 

has also been noted in Russia on Wrangel Island and along the Chukotka coast (Kochnev 2006). 

3. Denning

Reproductive ecology: Polar bears are long-lived, late maturing carnivores with relatively low 

reproductive rates (Amstrup and DeMaster 1988). Breeding occurs in spring; pregnant polar 

bears construct maternity dens in deep snow drifts by late November/December to give birth to 

their young (Harington 1968, Lentfer and Hensel 1980, Ramsay and Stirling 1990, Amstrup and 

Gardner 1994). Young are born in late December or early January (Harington 1968, Ramsay and 

Dunbrack 1986). Females remain in their dens without feeding for at least three months after 

giving birth and rely on their fat reserves for feeding their cubs. Family groups typically emerge 

during March and April (Amstrup and Gardner 1994, Smith et al. 2007).
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Den distribution: Maternity denning may occur on land, barrier islands, shore-fast ice or on 

pack ice. During a study conducted in the Beaufort Sea between 1981 and 1991, 53% of dens 

were located on drifting pack ice; the remaining dens were found on shore-fast ice or terrestrial 

habitat (Amstrup and Gardner 1994). Researchers noted an increasing trend of dens located on 

land during the latter half of the study. Similarly, Fischbach et al. (2007) noted an increase in 

land denning which they attributed to diminishing ice conditions. Continued declines in sea ice 

and coastal bluff habitat from erosion may increase the importance of inland terrestrial denning 

habitats in the future (Durner et al. 2006). 

Den habitat in the Beaufort Sea region: Terrestrial maternity denning occurs in drifted snow in 

habitat such as coastal and river bluffs, barrier islands, and other areas of topographical relief 

(Amstrup and DeMaster 1988, Durner et al. 2004). Specific areas that have been used for 

terrestrial denning by the SB stock include: barrier islands such as Pingok, Cross, Cottle, Foggy, 

Howe, Thetis, and Flaxman; the Colville, Sadlerochit, and Niguanak River drainages; Point 

Barrow, Point Lonely, Oliktok Point, and Atigaru Point; and Smith Bay (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service 1995, Kalxdorff 1997). The staging pad at Milne has also been used repeatedly for 

denning (Craig Perham, pers. comm. 2010).

Den habitat in the Chukchi Sea region: Denning by the CS stock of polar bears occurs

primarily in Russia on Wrangel Island and the northern coast of Chukotka (Uspenski and 

Kistchinski 1972, Stishov 1991). In Alaska, traditional ecological knowledge provided by Alaska 

Native hunters indicates that some denning has occurred on St. Lawrence and Little Diomede 

islands, as well as along the Alaskan coast between Wales and Barrow (Kalxdorff 1997, 

Voorhees et al. 2012). Satellite-telemetry studies conducted in 1985-2005 indicate that denning 

has occurred north of Point Hope on both ice and land (Fischbach et al. 2007). More recent 

telemetry results from work conducted in 2008-2010 indicate that polar bears denned primarily 

in Russian territory or on drift ice (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unpublished data 2010). 

Additional references: Additional information regarding polar bear life history and habitat use 

is summarized in the Final Rule: Determination of Threatened Status for the Polar Bear (Ursus 

maritimus) Throughout its Range (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008); the Final Rule for 

Designation of Critical Habitat for the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) in the United States (U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service 2010b), and the Habitat Conservation Strategy for Polar Bears in 

Alaska (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1995). These documents are available at 

http://alaska.fws.gov/polarbear. The U.S. Geological Survey maintains a database of polar bear 

den locations and has recently published the Catalogue of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) 

Maternal Den Locations in the Beaufort Sea and Neighboring Regions, Alaska, 1910-2010 

(Durner et al. 2010), available at http:/pubs.usgs.gov/ds/568. 

C. Susceptibility to Oil Spills
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The SB and CS polar bear range overlaps with both active and planned oil and gas operations.

Polar bears may be susceptible to oil spills in both on-shore and off-shore habitat at production 

facilities, pipelines, or from marine vessel spills. During an oil spill, the environmental 

sensitivity maps contained in the Unified Plan should be used as an initial reference on whether 

polar bears may be affected; they can be viewed at: 

http://www.asgdc.state.ak.us/maps/cplans/subareas.html. Additionally, the following information 

may be considered:

Habitat and season: Oil spills occurring in areas where polar bears are concentrated, such as 

along off-shore leads or polynyas, the pack ice edge, and along terrestrial mainland and barrier 

island habitat where marine mammal carcasses occur could affect large numbers of bears. Oil 

accidentally discharged in open water or present along Alaska’s Beaufort Sea coast during late 

summer and autumn months may present the greatest risk to polar bears due to their high 

densities in near-shore areas (e.g., Barter and Cross islands) during that time of year (Miller et 

al. 2006, Schliebe et al. 2008). In winter and spring, polar bears may concentrate at leads or 

polynyas to hunt seals, or search stable fast ice where seals build birth lairs along pressure ridges 

with deep snowdrifts (Stirling 1990). Spills associated with off-shore, bottom-founded 

exploration or production structures could affect a relatively large number of bears because these 

types of structures may create an artificial ―lead‖ down-current, which can attract seals and, in 

turn, bears (Shideler 1993a).

On-shore activities: To date, some on-shore spills have occurred on the North Slope at 

production facilities and at pipelines connecting wells to production facilities or to the TransAlaska Pipeline System, with no observed or reported exposure of polar bears to oil (Craig 

Perham, pers. comm. 2012).

Off-shore activities: To date, no major off-shore oil spills have occurred in either the Beaufort 

or Chukchi seas region. Alaska’s off-shore production facilities are presently limited to the 

Beaufort Sea region and are on artificial gravel islands in relatively shallow (less than 20 m) 

water. To estimate the probability of polar bears being exposed to a hypothetical spill in the 

Beaufort Sea, Amstrup et al. (2006) used satellite locations from radio-collared bears overlaid 

with wind and current data to simulate oil spill scenarios from the Northstar oil production 

facility and the proposed Liberty Island production facility. Modeling suggested that an 

estimated 0-27 polar bears in September (open water season) and 0-74 polar bears in October 

(mixed ice conditions) could be potentially oiled from Northstar, whereas an estimated 0-23 and 

0-55 polar bears could be oiled in September and October respectively from Liberty Island. All 

simulated oil spill trajectories affected smaller numbers of bears far more often than they 

affected larger numbers of bears. To date, no similar simulation has been done to assess the 

probability of polar bears being oiled in the Chukchi or Bering seas region. However, in a recent 

environmental assessment prepared for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, the Bureau of Ocean Energy 

Management (BOEM) found that the probability of a large spill occurring is low; if one were to 

occur, the potential effects could range from negligible to major for marine mammals (BOEM 

2015).
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In 2014, World Wildlife Fund Canada produced a report (WWF 2014) that evaluated four types 

of oil spills most likely to occur in the Beaufort Sea: 1) a shipping spill in Amundsen Gulf; 2) 

trans-boundary spills (oil tankers or pipelines) in the waters crossing the Alaska/Canada 

border; 3) a shallow water blowout from an oil well close to shore on the Beaufort shelf; and 4) 

a deep water blowout from an oil well on the Beaufort shelf break, an area potentially subject to 

exploratory drilling. Results indicate that spilled oil in all scenarios may travel considerable 

distances to the west and north when trapped and drifting within sea ice, affecting habitat for a 

wide range of marine species. In other words, modeling indicates that a relatively high chance

exists that oil spilled in Canadian waters could reach Alaska’s shorelines and affect wildlife and 

communities, as well as those in Canada.

Shipping: Because of reductions in Arctic sea ice and improved access to shipping lanes, an 

extended shipping season is expected to occur around the margins of the Arctic Basin (ACIA 

2005). Shipping of crude oil or oil products, as well as off-shore oil production, could increase 

the likelihood of oil spills. The Northern Sea Route, connecting Novaya Zemlya in the west to 

the Bering Strait in the east, has been open to marine traffic since 1991 (ACIA 2005). Scientists 

have noted increasing use of the Northern Sea Route as a source of disturbance to polar bears in 

the Russian Arctic (Wiig et al. 1996, Belikov and Boltunov 1998). Ice-breaking activities may 

alter habitats used by polar bears by creating ephemeral lead systems and concentrating ringed 

seals within the leads. This may benefit polar bears by allowing for easier access to ringed seals. 

Conversely, ice-breaking activities may cause polar bears (and seals) to use areas in which they 

have a higher likelihood of encountering vessels, and an increased likelihood of exposure to oil, 

waste products, or food wastes that are intentionally or accidentally released into the marine 

environment. Other potential impacts of Arctic ships include ship strikes on marine mammals, 

the introduction of alien species, disruption of migratory patterns of marine mammals, and noise 

produced from marine shipping activity (Arctic Council 2009).

Effects: Oil spills could potentially result in reduced survival of individual polar bears from: 1) 

ingestion of oil when grooming or consuming oiled prey; 2) oiling of fur and associated 

thermoregulatory stresses; 3) disturbance, injury, or death from interactions with humans during 

oil spill response activities; and 4) a reduction in available prey resources. Polar bears may be 

particularly vulnerable to disturbance when nutritionally stressed, and during denning. Cleanup 

operations that disturb an occupied den could result in death of cubs through abandonment, and 

perhaps death of the female in defense of (human) life situations. In spring, females with cubs of 

the year that den near or on land and migrate to off-shore areas may encounter oil (Stirling 

1990). Oiling of food sources, such as ringed seals, may result in a local reduction in ringed seal 

numbers or a change to the local distribution of seals. 

The effects of oil on polar bears present serious health concerns. Scientists have reported that 

polar bears will not avoid petroleum products encountered in the wild and may actively 

investigate oil spills (Amstrup 1989, Derocher and Stirling 1991). However, under experimental 

conditions in a study conducted by Øritsland et. al. (1981), three polar bears did not voluntarily 

enter a saltwater pool containing surface oil (~ 1 cm thick) until forced to do so. Once oiled, the 

bears actively ingested oil through grooming and licking behavior, causing thermoregulatory and 
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metabolic stresses. Øritsland et al. (1981) reported that ingestion of oil also led to anorexia, 

tissue damage from uremia, dehydration, anemia, and renal failure, eventually leading to death in 

two of three animals. In addition, skin damage and hair loss was noted after contact with oil in 

both experimental and natural conditions (Øritsland et al. 1981, Derocher and Stirling 1991).

Residual oil on the animal’s fur may persist if the animal is not cleaned completely.

A more thorough review of potential effects of oil and gas development can be found in the Final 

Rules for incidental take of polar bears at: 

http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/Beaufort_Sea/76FR47010.pdf and 

http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/Chukchi_Sea/73FR33212.pdf.

D. Response Plan Training Requirements

During an oil spill event, all field response personnel working in polar bear habitat should 

have or receive bear awareness safety training (as well as whatever additional training is 

required by their agency or company). Additional training requirements for Service personnel 

are described in the Region 7 Spill Response Plan for Oil and Hazardous Substances. Service

field personnel responding on behalf of polar bears should have the following: 

 Knowledge of the contents and use of the Alaska Regional Response Team’s Alaska 

Federal and State Preparedness Plan for Response to Oil and Hazardous Substance 

Discharges and Releases (Unified Plan), including Annex G, Wildlife Protection 

Guidelines

 Knowledge of the contents and use of the Region 7 Spill Response Plan for Oil and 

Hazardous Substances

 Incident Command System training (on-line training is available at 

http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is)

 Knowledge of the laws and regulations that apply to handling and ―taking‖ of marine 

mammals

 Knowledge of polar bear life history and distribution

 The Service’s Bear Awareness and Firearm Safety training

 Basic aviation safety training (if using aircraft for response operations)

 HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training 

(includes initial 40- or 24-hour course and 8-hour annual refresher training)

 Wilderness first aid training

 Arctic survival training.

During an oil spill, Service personnel who conduct bear deterrence as a response activity (for 

protection of the bear(s) or public safety) must also have bear deterrence training/experience, or 

be accompanied by a polar bear expert(s) who does. Non-government Service designees must

also have specialized deterrence training and Service authorization for intentional take. Service 

personnel involved in capture and handling of polar bears must have bear capture, 

immobilization, handling, and transport training/experience and authorization, or be working 

under the direction of a polar bear expert(s) who does. If oil spill response efforts involve 
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veterinary care (e.g., for temporary holding, de-oiling/cleaning, or removal of polar bears from 

the wild and placement in zoos or aquaria), responding veterinarians, zookeepers, or their 

designees must have experience handling polar bears and have prior authorization from the 

Service. 

II. RESPONSE STRATEGIES

The response strategies used for dealing with polar bears during an oil spill will depend on 

numerous factors, including: the number, age, and sex of polar bears in the area, weather 

conditions and season, ice conditions and presence or absence of open water, and the resources 

and staff available for response efforts. In the event of an oil spill, an Incident Command System 

(ICS) will provide the on-scene management structure that guides response efforts. This structure 

includes a Unified Command including designation of a Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) 

who will be appointed to lead response actions by the U.S. Coast Guard for spills occurring in 

marine waters, or by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for spills occurring on land 

and inland navigable waters. The ICS typically also includes four sections:

 Planning section: responsible for developing plans for each operational period (typically 

24-hour) to accomplish response objectives, including collection and evaluation of 

information and prioritizing Resources at Risk

 Operations section: conducts tactical operations to carry out an action plan; directs 

resources

 Logistics section: provides the resources, support and services to meet plan needs

 Financial section: monitors costs related to the incident.

Wildlife agencies provide recommendations to the Unified Command if their trust resources may 

be affected, and inform the Unified Command when permits or other legal obligations, e.g. ESA 

consultations, are required. Depending on the size and nature of the spill, these recommendations 

may be provided directly to the Unified Command, and/or through environmental units within 

the Planning section. Recommendations to conduct wildlife response activities must have the 

approval of all appropriate wildlife agencies and the FOSC before being initiated.

During a spill incident, the first point of contact for the Service is the Regional Spill Response 

Coordinator (RSRC) (see Section III, List of Contacts) who will provide wildlife response 

guidance to the Unified Command. When polar bears, walruses, or sea otters are potentially 

affected, the RSRC will contact the Service’s Marine Mammals Management Office (MMM) for 

technical expertise. The RSRC may designate a Marine Mammal Representative (or polar bear 

expert) to manage and implement spill response activities for polar bears. The Marine Mammal 

Representative will contact Service partners, e.g., the U.S. Geological Survey (if assistance with 

capture is required), State of Alaska, or local entities with polar bear expertise, e.g., the North 

Slope Borough, Alaska Nanuuq Commission, or village leaders, to coordinate a response for 

polar bears. The MMM Representative will also contact the Service’s DMA office to obtain any 

authorizations necessary under the MMPA for capture/handling, transport, or holding activities. 
13

All polar bear response activities must be conducted in coordination with the Service’s RSRC, 

who will ensure coordination with the FOSC. An emergency consultation with the Service’s 

Endangered Species Program (Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office) should also be initiated 

by the FOSC in coordination with the Service’s RSRC (see section III, List of Contacts) . 

The Service will consider the following factors when responding to a spill involving polar bears:

 location of spill

 magnitude of spill

 physical properties of oil 

 general logistics and accessibility to spill site

 spill trajectory 

 time of year

 weather conditions (e.g., wind, temperature, precipitation)

 environmental conditions (e.g., presence and thickness of ice)

 number, age, and sex of polar bears that are (or likely to be) affected

 degree of polar bears’ physical contact with oil

 importance of affected habitat

 clean-up recommendations

 likelihood of human-bear interactions.

Depending on these factors, the RSRC and polar bear expert(s) shall determine the potential risk 

to polar bear populations and recommend appropriate response action to the FOSC for approval.

Recommendations will focus on minimizing the exposure of polar bears to oil because cleaning 

bears and/or removing them from the field may not be feasible, especially if multiple bears are 

involved. Service response efforts will be conducted using a three-tier approach: 1) primary 

response – identifying bear use areas and making recommendations to the ICS on where to focus 

containment, dispersion, burning, or clean-up of oil so they minimize impacts to polar bears; 2) 

secondary response – using hazing, herding, preventative capture/relocation, or additional 

methods to remove un-oiled polar bears from affected or potentially-affected areas; and 3) 

tertiary response – capture, cleaning, treatment, and release of oiled polar bears. 

If the decision were made to conduct response activities, primary and secondary response options 

should be vigorously applied prior to implementation of tertiary methods, due to limited 

knowledge and experience regarding methods and effectiveness of cleaning oiled polar bears. 

Secondary and tertiary polar bear response activities will be conducted only by Service personnel 

or their designees who have MMPA section 112 (c) authorization. 

During all response operations, female polar bears occupying maternity dens warrant special 

consideration because of their reproductive importance to the population. Maternity denning 

occurs on land, barrier islands and ice habitat during October-April; known den sites should be 

avoided by all personnel to minimize disturbance. Den detection methods such as the use of 

Forward Looking Infra-red technology (FLIR) may be used to identify den locations and avoid 

disturbance to denning bears. Monitoring may be necessary to determine if den abandonment 

occurs. If disturbance results in abandonment of cubs by a denning female, the Service will 
14

consider capturing the cubs and attempt to reunite them with their mother; if this is not feasible, 

the Service would coordinate with the American Zoological Association (AZA) polar bear 

Species Survival Plan Coordinator for placement of the cub(s) at an appropriate zoo or aquaria

for long-term care and maintenance. 

To identify whether den habitat is present in a spill zone, maps are available from U.S. 

Geological Survey at http://www.absc.usgs.gov/science/biology/polar_bears/denning/html.

Additionally, maps of sensitive areas are available in the Unified Plan at 

http://www.akrrt.org/Unified Plan/index.shtml (see sub-area contingency plans). 

A. Primary Response

1. General Considerations

Primary response strategies should always be emphasized for this species. Primary response for 

protecting polar bears from an oil spill is to prevent the oil from reaching sensitive areas such as 

the barrier islands and shoreline, den sites, feeding sites, or areas where animals are concentrated

or likely to congregate. The first steps are to: 1) identify whether polar bears or their habitat are 

at risk; 2) conduct aerial or ground surveys to determine if polar bears are present or near the 

spill zone, including review of locations/movements of collared bears; 3) provide input to the 

FOSC regarding potential protection measures and priorities; and 4) conduct oiled carcass 

collection as outlined in the Region 7 Spill Response Plan for Oil and Hazardous Substances.

Service response personnel operating in bear habitat should adhere to the agency’s bear and 

firearm safety policy which can be found at:

http://region7.fws.gov/admin/safety/bear_firearms.htm. Service policy calls for each member of 

a field party working in bear habitat to carry a firearm and be certified as a Firearm Carrier, or 

work in a party with at least one Designated Shooter. Field parties should consist of two or more 

people; each party shall carry at least two types of bear deterrents, one of which shall be nonshotgun based. Field party members not carrying firearms must carry non-lethal deterrents; the 

recommendation is EPA-approved bear pepper spray.

When working with other agency or response personnel, all Service response personnel should 

receive a safety orientation from the team leader and, when operating in polar bear habitat, be 

advised what to do if a polar bear is encountered. Each camp/work area should have a designated

safe area where response personnel go if a bear approaches. If a spill occurs during the open 

water season, response vessels should include an on-board marine mammal observer(s).

2. Wildlife surveys

Early detection of polar bears can be accomplished using aerial, boat, or vehicle surveys and can 

be combined with surveys for other wildlife species, as directed by the RSRC. Specialized aerial 

or ground surveys to identify potential maternal den sites may include the use of FLIR and/or 

scent-trained dogs. Specialized polar bear surveys will be conducted only by the MMM polar 
15

bear expert(s) or their designee(s). Specialized polar bear survey areas and routes will be 

determined by the MMM polar bear expert(s) and the airplane or vehicle operator(s), in 

consultation with the RSRC, as authorized by the FOSC.

3. Carcass Collection

Service personnel, as directed by the Service’s RSRC, may collect oiled wildlife carcasses to

minimize the potential for polar bears (or other animals) to contact or ingest oil through 

scavenging. Carcasses will be collected following incident-specific guidance provided by 

appropriate wildlife resource agencies and in accordance with the carcass collection protocols 

found in the Unified Plan, Annex G: Wildlife Protection Guidelines, Appendices 11A, 11B, and 

11C (http://www.akrrt.org/UnifiedPlan/G-annex.pdf). Marine mammal carcasses, including 

polar bears, should be collected only by a federal or state agency official or their authorized 

designee. If a polar bear carcass is found by a person not authorized to collect carcasses, that 

person should contact the Service at 1-800-362-5148 (Marine Mammals Management Office) or 

1-800- 858-7621 (Office of Law Enforcement), or the North Slope Borough DWM at 907-852-

0350 for retrieval instructions. If unable to make contact, the finder should photograph the 

carcass and note its GPS location, and contact the Service as soon as possible. If feasible, a 

Service representative will be sent to collect the carcass, obtain samples (Appendix 2) from the 

carcass, or provide instructions to the finder on how to proceed.

During transport, carcasses should be kept as cool as possible to prevent decomposition, but not

frozen (to prevent tissue damage prior to necropsy, if possible) and delivered to the nearest 

collection or morgue site. Carcasses should be wrapped in butcher paper, foil, burlap, or other 

non-plastic material; handlers should wear nitrile gloves. Each carcass should be accompanied 

by a form (Appendix 1) containing the date and location where the carcass was found and the 

name of the person who found it. All Service personnel handling marine mammal carcasses or 

samples must maintain chain-of-custody records for collected specimens. Additional carcass 

collection protocols and chain of custody forms are available from the Service’s RSRC and in 

the Region 7 Spill Response Plan for Oil and Hazardous Substances. Carcass and sample 

collection equipment is available from the Service’s MMM Office in Anchorage (call 1-800-362-

5148) or from Alaska Clean Seas (ACS) in Deadhorse (call 907-659-3249).

Carcass collection, necropsies, and sample analyses will be done by Service-approved personnel 

and labs, as determined by the RSRC in consultation with the Service’s Law Enforcement 

division and Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) coordinator. While initial spill 

response is focused on removing oil from the environment and minimizing future damage, the 

goal of NRDA is to assess injury to trust resources and seek the compensation necessary to 

return them to their pre-spill condition. Therefore, Service employees that respond on behalf of 

polar bears (and other trust resources) must carefully coordinate with NRDA staff to ensure that 

methods used for carcass and sample collection and data analyses are conducted in a manner that 

satisfies NRDA requirements. Specific NRDA guidelines are currently being developed for 

Alaska and will be included in Appendix 11 of this document when available. 
16

4. Skimming

One response option for recovering spilled oil in water is to mechanically collect it with 

skimming devices. Skimming systems will typically consist of two vessels with a skimmer either 

built in or alongside of the vessel, towing a boom to contain oil. Skimming systems can be 

positioned to recover oil before it reaches sensitive areas such as barrier islands or polar bear den 

habitat. If possible, skimming activities should be conducted in a manner that avoids disturbance

to polar bears.

Ice coverage and ice type may affect mechanical cleanup. For example, skimming vessels may 

need to deflect ice to allow access to oil. Specialized brush and brush-drum skimmers are 

currently being developed for use in ice-covered waters and are expected to enhance the future 

ability to recover oil in mixed ice conditions (Sørstrøm et al. 2010). If spilled under winter ice, 

oil may accumulate at the ice edge, in leads, polynyas, and seal breathing holes. In addition, 

some oil may become trapped and move with the underside of the ice (Neff 1990); therefore, oil 

should be prevented from moving under the pack ice. Research is currently underway to test an 

Airborne Ground Penetrating Radar system for detecting oil in and under ice (Alaska Clean Seas 

2012). To recover oil that has been spilled under ice, slots may be cut in the ice to concentrate 

oil, which, in turn, can be recovered by skimming or suction techniques (Alaska Clean Seas 

2010). Ice thickness must be adequate to support the weight of vehicles and equipment.

5. Booms

Protective booms and sorbents may be used as containment measures to minimize contamination 

or to protect shorelines and ice edges where polar bears and their prey may be found. Booms 

should be placed in a manner that minimize disturbance to polar bears. Polar bear sensitive areas

such as barrier islands may be boomed by anchoring one or more lengths of boom between two 

or more stationary points to prevent oil from entering an area occupied by polar bears, or by 

diverting oil to a less sensitive area such as toward open water. Effectiveness of booms will be 

limited during stormy weather in open water conditions due to increased wind/wave action. 

Booms may also be difficult to use along shore-fast ice or other ice edges if the ice shifts and 

moves. Vessels with ice moving capability may be needed to manage ice and allow equipment 

such as booms and skimming devices to be used. If disturbed, polar bears may move out of an 

un-oiled area into an oiled area. 

6. Dikes/Berms

For on-land or on-ice spills, snow or earthen berms may be constructed to contain oil around the 

leak, if terrain permits. Dikes filled with excelsior or sorbents may be used on spills in smaller 

streams. 

7. In-situ Burning
17

In-situ burning is the combustion of spilled oil, a technique that can potentially remove large 

quantities of oil from the water’s surface in a short period of time. The key to effectiveness is the 

thickness of the oil slick; less ice coverage can allow spills to spread and become too thin to 

ignite. In heavy ice (70-90% coverage), boom and chemical surface agents known as herders can 

minimize oil spread and allow oil to be more effectively ignited and burned (Sørstrøm et al. 

2010). To be effective, burning must be initiated before highly volatile (flammable) 

hydrocarbons vaporize. Oil weathering models may help predict the window of opportunity for 

using in-situ burning of spilled oil (Sørstrøm et al. 2010). Use of in-situ burning and chemical 

herders must be approved by the FOSC and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

In-situ burning can assist in the removal of oil from the water, thus reducing the time that polar 

bears and other wildlife would come into contact with the spilled oil. However, burning causes 

by-products such as carbon particles and gases to be released into the environment. The main 

concern with in- situ burning is that the by-products (primarily smoke) generated may have 

environmental and human health impacts from breathing air in the vicinity of the spill (Potter et 

al. 2012). In-situ burning can be considered as a response strategy if impacts from burning are 

less harmful to humans and wildlife than impacts of the non-burned oil. Short-term effects 

associated with burning may be preferable to long-term effects associated with oiled polar bears 

and additional wildlife, and persistence of oil in the environment. All wildlife in the proposed 

burn area should be identified as quickly as possible to inform the FOSC prior to initiating in-situ

burning. The Service’s RSRC and MMM polar bear expert(s) shall determine the potential risk 

to polar bears specific to the spill zone. Bear monitors/guards may be needed in the burn area.

8. Dispersants

Dispersants are water surface-active chemicals that enable oil to mix with water and move from 

the surface into the water column. In the Deepwater Horizon spill, dispersants were also used at 

the sea floor by injecting them directly into the plume at the source of the spill (Sammarco et al. 

2013). The use of dispersants can reduce potential contamination of shoreline but may expose a 

larger volume of sea water and its associated flora and fauna, as well as sea floor biota, to oil. In 

addition to an increased volume of water containing oil, the oil consists of tinier droplets which 

become more bioavailable for internal uptake (Schein et al. 2009). 

To be effective during an open water oil spill, the dispersant must be able to reach the oil slick, 

mix with the oil, and cause the oil to disperse into small droplets. Dispersants work best when a 

moderate amount of mixing energy exists. Since ice dampens the mixing energy of ocean waves, 

vessel propellers or high pressure water systems can be used as an additional source of energy 

(Sørstrøm et al. 2010). New studies show that dispersants may be used effectively in a broken ice 

environment with the development of improved delivery systems and introduction of extra 

mixing energy (Sørstrøm et al. 2010). Dispersants may be used in deep, off-shore marine waters 

where water depth and currents are sufficient to disperse and dilute oil rapidly to low 

concentrations. Dispersants are toxic in varying degrees to marine biota; toxicity may be 

lessened if the dispersant is diluted quickly in an open water environment. The window of 

opportunity to use dispersants is typically within hours to 1-2 days after a spill; thereafter, the oil 
18

may become weathered and difficult to disperse (National Research Council 2010).

The effects of dispersant use on polar bears are unknown. In general, the Service supports 

dispersant use as a response strategy if associated impacts are less harmful to humans and 

wildlife than impacts of the non-dispersed oil. More research is needed to determine the potential 

benefits or adverse impacts of dispersant use in response to an oil spill (National Research 

Council 2010). The Dispersant Use Guidelines (Alaska Regional Response Team 2010, 

available at http://www.akrrt.org/UnifiedPlan/F-annex.pdf) have been developed to ensure that 

dispersants, if used, are applied with the least potential for negative environmental effects as 

possible. Dispersant use is not recommended immediately in or around sensitive areas where 

trust species or their critical habitat occur, e.g., lagoons, wetlands, or other nesting spawning, 

breeding, and nursery areas (Alaska Regional Response Team 2010). The dispersants themselves 

must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The request for a dispersant use 

permit is approved by the FOSC pending review of the Dispersant Use Checklist (also available 

at http://www.akrrt.org/UnifiedPlan/F-annex.pdf). All wildlife in the proposed use area should be 

identified prior to dispersant use. The decision of whether or not to use dispersants will be made 

on a case-by-case basis by the FOSC. The Service’s MMM polar bear expert(s) should ensure 

that concerns for polar bears or their habitat are passed on to the FOSC through the RSRC. 

B. Secondary Response

1. General Considerations

Secondary response is to deter, or haze, polar bears from contacting the oil slick area; this 

response may be incorporated with primary response activities. An aerial or ground survey 

should be conducted to locate potentially affected animals. Pre-emptive capture and relocation of 

polar bears may be considered as a secondary response strategy but may not be feasible if large 

numbers of bears are involved, or the spill area is extensive. The degree of risk associated with 

the animal actually contacting oil before secondary response strategies are initiated should be 

carefully considered.

2. Detection 

Whether at large response facilities, small, temporary response field camps, or in the field 

conducting response activities, the best deterrent success requires early detection of polar bears

(see Section II. A, Primary Response). For temporary camps or permanent facilities, early 

detection is best achieved by having adequate lighting to illuminate the area outside the facility 

perimeter. Another useful detection method is use of (human) bear monitors whose specific 

responsibility is to watch for bears and bear signs and warn others of approaching bears. Bear 

monitors may include response personnel, oil field security personnel, North Slope Borough or 

Service personnel, or Native hunters. Bears may be difficult to see in Arctic Alaska, due to fog, 

darkness, or blowing snow. Trained dogs may also be used to signal approaching bears. 

Additionally, in small, temporary or portable camps established for response activities, trip wires
19

and electric fencing may be used to detect approaching polar bears (Hechtel 1993). Additional 

information on use of electric fences is provided in Appendix 3.

Motion sensors include microwave intrusion detection systems that create an ―invisible fence‖ 

around a camp, as well as small-scale, passive infrared systems similar to domestic burglar 

alarms. An alarm is sounded when an object passes through the microwave beam between the 

transmitter and the receiver (BP Exploration 1993). The number of transmitters and receivers 

necessary to protect a camp is dependent on the size of the camp. Motion sensors are also tripped 

by people, vehicles, or non-target species but are automatically reset. Microwave systems may be 

better suited to larger, semi-permanent facilities (Hechtel 1993). 

Spill response camps as well as larger response facilities in polar bear habitat should have a 

specific, designated warning alarm that notifies personnel of a bear in the area. If polar bears 

are detected near a spill area or response operation, all personnel in the area should move to a 

designated safe area. Procedures for retreating to a designated safe area should be established as 

soon as the response operation is initiated. Safe areas may be a vehicle, boat, caged area, or hardsided structure that prevents access by bears. 

3. Deterrents

Passive and preventative deterrents: A deterrent is any method or device used to keep bears 

away from a particular location. Passive and preventative deterrents may be used by all field 

responders without having to obtain prior authorization from the Service. Passive and 

preventative deterrence activities include use of the following:

 rigid fencing and other fixed barriers designed to prevent bears from gaining access to 

property or people 

 bear exclusion cages or structures which provide protective shelter for people 

 bear-resistant food and garbage containers 

 non-firearm based acoustic devices that create auditory disturbance such as a car horn, 

engine, or siren 

 use of vehicles or boats to deter bears by patrolling the periphery of an area such as a spill 

zone.

Passive and preventative deterrents must be used in a manner that avoids seriously injuring or 

causing death to the animal(s) and are defined by regulation in the Deterrence Guidelines (U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service 2010c) which can be found at:

http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/det_guidelines.htm. 

Personal protection: Bear pepper spray has proven effective in deterring brown bears and black 

bears and has also been effectively used to deter polar bears exhibiting curious behavior in a 

limited number of cases (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unpublished data, 2009, Dick Shideler, 

pers. comm. 2010). Service personnel should carry bear pepper spray for personal protection 

during response activities but it must be kept above freezing temperatures to be effective. 

Because its spray distance is limited to close range (less than 9 m) which can be further reduced 
20

during windy conditions, it should not be relied on as a sole deterrent. Bear pepper spray should 

be EPA-approved; a list of EPA-approved sprays is available at: 

http://www.epa.gov/region8/toxics/pests/beardeter.html.

Active deterrence measures: More active deterrence as described in the following paragraphs 

require specialized training and/or authorization and must be conducted under direction of the 

Service with prior approval from the FOSC. Service employees using the deterrents described 

below in protection of human life should have received the Service’s bear safety and firearms 

training prior to conducting field work. Non-government personnel using deterrents for 

protection or welfare of humans or to deal with nuisance bears must have prior MMPA section 

112 (c) authorization from the Service (to obtain deterrence authorization and training, contact 

MMM Polar Bear Project Leader listed in section III., List of Contacts).

If active deterrent measures are warranted, the following information based on the Service’s Bear 

Awareness Safety Training curriculum and the Guidelines for Oil and Gas Operations in Polar 

Bear Habitats (Shideler 1993b) is provided. The reader is referred to Appendix 4 of this 

document for additional information on deterrent methods. 

When using active deterrents, responders should first identify an appropriate escape route to 

direct the bear(s), preferably one that is in the direction from which it came, or towards the sea 

ice. Deterrents should be used starting with the least intensive method that is effective in 

moving the bear(s) away from a particular location, and using more intensive methods only as 

necessary. 

Auditory deterrents: Auditory deterrents such as starting and revving a vehicle/snowmobile

engine, or use of sirens and horns are often effective in deterring approaching bears. Projectiles

such as cracker shells and screamers are designed to produce a loud noise and may be used as a 

deterrent if passive measures are unsuccessful in stopping approaching bears. Cracker shells are 

launched using a 12-gauge shotgun and have an effective range of approximately 60-100 m; 

these deterrents have been used effectively on the North Slope in both villages and industrial 

work areas. Screamers are deterrents used with a .15 mm pistol launcher that make a screaming 

noise and have an effective range of approximately 20-100 m.

Adverse weather such as high winds or cold temperatures may minimize the effectiveness of 

auditory deterrents. Additionally, training on effective use of auditory deterrents is necessary 

because improper use may result in habituation of some bears to the deterrent, especially if used 

repeatedly without an accompanying physical deterrent. Improper use of projectiles can also 

result in injury or death if the projectile physically contacts a bear. Response personnel should 

not rely solely on auditory deterrents for personal protection.

Firing warning shots with lethal rounds such as rifle and shotgun slugs is discouraged because 

of: 1) the potential to accidently harm the bear or humans in the area, 2) its lack of effectiveness, 

and 3) because the ammunition used may be needed for self-defense. Response personnel should 

not fire lethal rounds at a bear unless they intend to kill the bear in defense of life.
21

Physical deterrents: If auditory deterrents are ineffective, physical deterrents may be necessary. 

Actively herding polar bears (vs. passive perimeter patrol, as mentioned in the passive 

deterrence section above) using vehicles such as trucks, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, and aircraft 

has been successful in moving bears out of human use areas. During an oil spill, these methods 

may be effective when oil is confined to a small area that can be regularly patrolled. Individuals 

conducting herding techniques must avoid putting wildlife at additional risk when moving an 

animal away from or toward a specific site. Vehicles should not be used to chase a bear unless 

people or the bear(s) are in immediate danger. If a bear(s) is herded, attempts should be made to 

minimize stress to the animal e.g., to avoid the possibility of injury or overheating. Often, bears 

can be maneuvered away from an area at a walk or slow shuffle which reduces overheating and 

stress. Mobile vehicles such as ATVs, snowmobiles, and helicopters are especially effective 

because they allow access and can maneuver easily to off-road areas such as ice habitat. Broken 

ice conditions may limit herding attempts using ATVs or snowmobiles. The Service has 

developed protocols for hazing with helicopters (see Appendix 4); however, this action warrants 

special consideration since it may place increased risk and stress on both bears and humans. 

Impact projectiles such as bean bags fired from a 12-gauge shotgun are intended to hit the bear 

and have been successfully used to deter polar bears. Depending on the type of projectile, the 

range is 10 – 40 meters. Impact projectiles used in combination with auditory deterrents such as 

cracker shells enhance the effectiveness of deterrent action. Non-penetrating dye-marker darts 

for the CapChurTM drug delivery system can also be used as a projectile deterrent; bears may be 

marked with dye so returning bears can be identified.

The decision to use auditory or physical deterrents to haze bears should include several 

considerations: 1) safety: projectiles are potentially dangerous--even lethal--to bears and 

humans; 2) attractants: it is important to haze a bear BEFORE it obtains garbage or human 

food; and 3) feasibility: both auditory and physical projectiles have a limited range for accurate 

and effective use and are easily deflected by wind and brush (see Appendix 4 for additional 

information). 

4. Pre-emptive Capture, Handling, and Transport 

Pre-emptive capture should only be initiated if all other methods under the secondary response 

strategy are ineffective in deterring bears from a spill site. Human safety is a priority during 

polar bear capture, transport, holding and release operations. Capture and release operations will 

not be conducted when weather, ocean, or other conditions jeopardize human safety. Pre-emptive 

capture of polar bears may only be done by qualified Service staff or their designees; section 112 

(c) authorization from the Service is required. Additionally, approval from the FOSC is required 

before capture can be initiated.

The main factors affecting the feasibility of polar bear capture operations are safety and logistical 

constraints. Pre-emptive capture and relocation of polar bears is only feasible if small numbers of 

animals are in danger of being oiled and suitable relocation sites are available. When relocated, 
22

bears must be monitored to ensure that they are not bothered by people or predators such as other 

polar bears while they recover and regain mobility, especially in the case of females with 

dependent cubs. The potential for polar bears to be oiled should be high before this technique is 

initiated. The Service will determine on a case-by-case basis whether preemptive capture is 

appropriate.

Ground-based methods and equipment: Use of baited culvert traps may be used to capture

polar bears but has some application limitations. Equipment for ground-based capture is located 

at Deadhorse as well as in Anchorage at the MMM warehouse (see Appendix 7). At present, five 

culvert traps are available for oil spill response:

 Two Service traps located at the MMM warehouse in Anchorage (collapsible style which 

can be flown as cargo to a spill area, then assembled on site);

 An Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) bear culvert trap located in the 

Western Operating Area (WOA) under ACS inventory at the Spill Response Team 

building in Kuparuk; 

 An ADFG bear culvert trap located in the Eastern Operating Area (EOA) managed by BP 

Exploration, behind the Spill Response Team’s office at MCC; 

 A culvert trap constructed by Arctic Slope Regional Corporation for Shell Oil that is 

specifically designed for large polar bears and is made of aluminum for ease of slinging; 

it can be made available by contacting Shell (see section III. List of Contacts). 

Flatbed trailers to transport the culvert traps are available from ACS (tel. 907-659-2045). Culvert 

traps can also be slung by helicopter (Bell 412 or 212). 

If ground-based capture involves use of immobilizing drugs to transport or re-locate a bear(s), 

only authorized Service personnel or their designees will conduct capture operations. 

Aerial methods and equipment: Pre-emptive capture of polar bears can also be accomplished 

using helicopters. For aerial capture methods, capture equipment such as immobilizing drugs, 

firearms and sampling equipment will be transported to the site with authorized capture 

personnel. The Department of the Interior’s National Business Center Aviation Management 

Division maintains a current list of licensed aircraft operators that can assist in polar bear 

capture/transport (see Section III, List of Contacts). Capture operations should only be conducted 

by qualified personnel, as designated by the MMM representative. Helicopter capture operations 

will follow procedures outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures for Polar Bear Capture in 

the Chukchi and Bering Seas (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2010d), and in accordance with the 

permit holder’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee permit conditions.

Data collection and animal handling: For each capture event, capture personnel should note 

the following general information: 

 location of capture

 estimated amount of oil in capture area (to help assess animal exposure to oil)

 technique used to capture the animal

 behavior of the bear during capture, e.g., aggressive, lethargic, comatose.
23

Upon capture, the (immobilized) bear should immediately be examined by capture personnel. If 

multiple animals need to be moved, or limited time is available, capture personnel should 

perform only a cursory field exam, including:

 check for the presence of tags/tattoos; affix as necessary

 determine age and sex class and general body condition 

 apply fur dye number so the bear can be visually monitored from the ground or air

 apply a glue-on or ear-mounted radio tag so the bear’s movements can be tracked for the 

next few months.

If time is not a limiting factor, or it is deemed useful, then standard field sampling protocol can 

be used to collect the following additional information, using the data form provided in 

Appendix 5:

 a pre-molar tooth used for aging (if not previously captured)

 skull width and length

 axillary girth (at chest) and straight-line length (tip of nose to tip of bony part of tail)

 weight

 blood samples

 biopsy (fat) sample

 hair sample.

Relocation and release: Transport of bears for relocation from a spill site can be accomplished 

using aircraft, vehicles, or boats, depending on distance to the release site. For ground transport, 

it is preferable to use culvert traps or transport cages that have remotely-operated doors so bears 

can be safely released without additional immobilization. Polar bears should not be transported 

in the same enclosure with other bears except mothers with cubs, or possibly siblings. If polar 

bears are drugged and transported by helicopter sling-load, they should be transported on a 

backboard and insulated from the cold. 

Bears that have been temporarily held in culvert traps or cages in the field (when determining 

suitable re-location sites) must be released as soon as possible in areas where they have the best 

chance of survival, as determined by the Service on a case-by-case basis. Every attempt will be 

made to release polar bears where they were originally captured or in the near vicinity, but this 

will depend on the degree of contamination risk present at the release site. Any indication of 

infectious disease or the animal’s inability to sustain itself precludes release into the wild. If the 

bear(s) was immobilized during capture and holding, a collar or glue on radio ear tag can be 

affixed to monitor movements after release. 

5. Other

The possibility of conducting pre-emptive capture of non-oiled animals and moving them to a 

temporary holding facility either in an existing warehouse or similar structure (e.g., at 

Deadhorse), or to a facility outside of their population range (e.g., to Anchorage Zoo or Alaska 

SeaLife Center) has been recently raised. This option would not be feasible for a large number of 
24

bears because of the limited availability of holding cages and trained animal care staff available 

to care for them. Additionally, the Service’s co-management partners, the Alaska Nanuuq 

Commission and the North Slope Borough DWM (see Section III, List of Contacts), have

expressed concern that animals taken into captivity might transmit disease to wild bears if 

released back into the wild. The risk of disease transmission from captive-held to wild polar 

bears is unknown; proper quarantine procedures while in captivity would likely reduce 

transmission risk. In Manitoba, Canada, nuisance polar bears are routinely captured and held in 

isolation for months in an effort to reduce human-bear conflicts, with no reported cases of 

disease transmission to wild counterparts upon release. To address this concern and improve 

response capability, the Service constructed a polar bear holding module in 2014 that can be used 

to temporarily hold a single or small family group of bears. Two smaller attachable cages have 

also been constructed and can be used to transport bears to/from the holding module. The 

collapsible module and transport cages are stored in a conex at ACS’s base of operations in 

Deadhorse. This mobile unit could also be deployed to a spill site elsewhere in Alaska and used 

if a temporary holding facility (e.g., access-controlled building) was available. 

The decision to move a non-oiled polar bear to a temporary holding facility will be made by the 

MMM polar bear expert(s) in consultation with its co-management partners on a case-by-case 

basis.

C. Tertiary Response

1. General Considerations

Tertiary response is the treatment of polar bears contaminated with oil. The components of 

tertiary response are the capture, handling, transport, treatment, holding, and release of polar 

bears. Tertiary response should only be performed under Service leadership and by people with 

experience in capture and handling polar bears. Little is known about the potential effects of 

capturing or cleaning oiled polar bears; therefore it should be carefully considered before being 

attempted. A combination of capture techniques may be necessary, such as use of air or ground 

darting and use of culvert traps. The length of time required to immobilize an animal for 

treatment, cleaning, drying, etc. may pose further risk to polar bears and should be considered in 

relation to the animal’s chances of survival prior to the animal’s capture. Each transported 

animal should be accompanied by capture personnel and a capture data form (Appendix 5) until 

its release. Logistical and monetary constraints and availability of suitable release sites may 

further limit the feasibility of this response.

2. Capture

Decision to capture: the decision to capture will be made by the MMM polar bear expert(s), in 

consultation with the MMM Polar Bear Project Leader, a veterinarian, and other response 

partners, based on the following factors: 

 Safety: risks involved in capture operation to both bear(s) and staff must be identified
25

o discuss risk factors such as weather and ice conditions with the entire capture 

crew, including pilots, boat captains, etc.

o does not capturing the bear(s) pose a safety risk to humans, e.g., village residents?

 Biological importance: priority should be given to family groups and single adult 

females, followed by sub-adult females, sub-adult males, and adult males respectively.

 Likelihood of survival: using best professional judgment, select bears with highest 

likelihood of survival, in consideration of the following parameters:

o percent of body covered in oil (heavily oiled animals are likely to have more 

serious thermo-regulatory and medical problems vs. animals that are so lightly 

oiled that the stress of capture/cleaning may not be warranted)

o depth of oil penetration into the fur (skin-deep oiling could be more difficult to 

remove and therefore increase sedation and holding times; penetration may be 

difficult to determine without capturing the bear)

o was oil inhaled (was the bear observed swimming in a fresh slick which may 

require specialized medical treatment and lengthen holding time) 

o was oil ingested (was the bear observed feeding or grooming, or is oil present in 

mouth or throat - may require specialized medical treatment and lengthen holding 

time)

o body condition (does the bear appear otherwise healthy, vs. a malnourished bear 

that may be less likely to withstand treatment, or require longer holding time)

o Length of time that the animal has been oiled (if known from collar data etc., 

bears that have been oiled for a long period of time may be less likely to survive)

 Availability of holding and release sites

o identify potential holding and release sites before capture is initiated

o is the treated bear a suitable candidate for release into the wild (higher priority if 

―yes‖) 

o if bear is taken out of its population range, is a holding facility available for 

permanent placement?

If the animal is deemed to be in such compromised health that it must be cleaned and 

rehabilitated for an extended period of time at a facility outside of its home range, it should not 

be returned to the wild and can be considered a suitable candidate for permanent placement in a 

zoo. Written authorization from the Service’s DMA office (see Section III, List of Contacts) will 

be needed to remove a polar bear(s) permanently from the wild for placement in a long-term 

holding facility such as a zoo or aquarium. Polar bears under the age of two years have fewer 

problems making the transition from a free-ranging life to a long-term captive environment (Pat 

Lampi, pers. comm. 2010). If the number of oiled bears exceeds the availability of facilities to 

clean and care for oiled bears, the MMM polar bear expert(s) will consult with the MMM Polar 

Bear Project Leader and other bear experts to determine the best course of action, including 

euthanasia. 

3. Handling
26

Aerial capture will be performed by the Service, U.S. Geological Survey, or others with MMPA 

section 112 (c) authorization, as determined by the MMM polar bear expert(s). Ground capture 

may involve Service, ADFG, North Slope Borough DWM or other staff with culvert trapping 

experience. Medical treatment and handling of polar bears should be conducted by qualified 

personnel only, as determined by the MMM polar bear expert(s). Washing and cleaning will be 

conducted under supervision of the attending veterinarian in consultation with the MMM polar 

bear expert(s). 

4. Transport

Transport must be conducted by qualified personnel only, as determined by the MMM polar bear 

expert(s). If polar bears are shipped via aircraft to a treatment facility outside of their home 

range, all cages must meet, at minimum, U.S. Department of Agriculture marine mammal 

transport requirements (AWA 2005). Transport cages meeting International Air Transport 

Association (IATA) requirements are recommended (see Appendix 6). A veterinarian or 

qualified expert should accompany bear(s) en route to the treatment facility to address issues 

such as overheating. 

A forklift may be necessary to move caged bears to the transport vehicles/aircraft. Polar bears 

should not be transported in the same enclosure with another bear except cubs with mothers, or 

cub siblings. At present, the Service houses one transport cage suitable for transporting one cub

less than 150 lbs. at the MMM warehouse in Anchorage, and two adult bear cages at Deadhorse 

at the ACS base of operations. Additional cub transport cages are available from the Alaska Zoo. 

Zoos outside of Alaska that house polar bears may be able to provide additional transport cages 

which can be obtained by contacting the Chair of the American Zoological Association (AZA)

Bear Taxon Advisory Group (see Section III, List of Contacts).

5. Treatment

Once polar bears are captured and moved to a treatment facility, the Service will work with the 

Polar Bear Response Team to treat and handle bears. The Polar Bear Response Team is an 

Alaska-based ad-hoc group that has been working together since 2010 to improve tertiary 

response capabilities for polar bears, and to help rescue polar bears that are orphaned in the wild. 

Members include experts in oil spill response (ACS), polar bear biology, management, and 

capture (the Service, U.S. Geological Survey, North Slope Borough) and captive treatment and 

handling (Alaska Zoo and Pet Stop). To date, the Polar Bear Response Team has worked 

together to identify methods to effectively remove oil from polar bear fur, as well as to identify, 

list, and stage the appropriate medical equipment and supplies needed for cleaning oiled polar 

bears. Depending on the number of bears being treated, additional staff may be needed to clean 

and treat bears.

Treatment facilities: Treatment facilities for rehabilitating oiled polar bears should include: 1) 

portable bear cages of a minimum size that equals twice the length of the animal (and the 

mechanics/trailers to move them); 2) areas for triage/sedation; 3) areas for 
27

cleaning/rinsing/drying; 4) areas for recovery/holding (in quarantine) with access to heat, shade 

and water; 5) a veterinary laboratory and equipment storage area; and 5) staffing 

accommodations, including restrooms, sleeping, and dining areas. The treatment facility should 

be in an area where large quantities of water are available. A health and safety plan (including 

MSDS information for all hazardous chemicals) should be developed. Consideration must be 

given to disposal of cleanup waste. If necessary, wastewater permits must be obtained from 

federal and state authorities. 

Currently the best option for cleaning oiled polar bears within their home range is in Prudhoe 

Bay at facilities maintained by ACS, the primary oil spill response organization for oil and gas 

operators in the Prudhoe Bay area. The facilities are currently capable of treating up to three 

oiled polar bears at a time; more bears could be treated if additional holding cages were brought 

to the site. Facilities and on-site equipment for bear cleaning, treatment and necropsy are

described in Appendices 6 and 7, respectively. 

If polar bears are taken outside of their population range, the next closest facility is the Alaska 

Sea Life Center in Seward which has the facilities capable of washing, treating and holding up 

to six small bears (no adults). Additionally, up to six non-oiled orphaned cubs-of-the-year can be 

taken to the Alaska Zoo for stabilization and holding; the zoo does not have the waste-water 

management capabilities necessary for washing/de-oiling bears. If additional washing facilities 

are needed, the MMM polar bear expert(s) will contact the AZA for assistance from zoos or 

aquaria outside of Alaska.

Only authorized personnel shall be admitted into treatment facilities. Service personnel and 

others involved in treatment of polar bears shall carry identification when in proximity of housed 

bears. Public media relations should minimize disturbance to polar bears; no cameras with 

flashes will be permitted in the facility, and press conferences should be held outside and away 

from captured bears. The MMM Polar Bear Project Leader or designee will be responsible for 

selecting, coordinating with, and providing oversight to these facilities if treatment is initiated. 

Treatment methods: There are presently no veterinary standards available for treating oiled 

polar bears; however in 2012 the Polar Bear Response Team drafted guidelines for treatment and 

de-oiling, based on experimental fur-cleaning results and other available scientific information. 

These guidelines are provided in Appendix 6 and summarized briefly below.

Medical treatment: Once a polar bear is brought into a treatment facility, a qualified veterinarian 

will perform assessment and triage (Appendix 8) and oversee the animal’s care and recovery in 

consultation with the MMM polar bear expert(s). Treatment will require immobilizing the 

animal; a veterinarian and at least one additional qualified person should be available to monitor 

depth of anesthesia and other health parameters during cleaning. 

Cleaning: For cleaning oiled polar bears, warm fresh or salt water, liquid detergent and sawdust 

are the only known non-toxic agents proven effective in cleaning oiled fur but may not be 

sufficient to remove deeper oil next to the skin (Øritsland et al. 1981). Recent efforts to 
28

experimentally clean polar bear fur pieces under laboratory conditions suggest that use of warm 

fresh water and a 10% Dawn soap solution yielded the best results for removing both fresh

and weathered light and heavy crude oils from polar bear fur (Jensen et al. in prep.). Cleaning 

involves working the solution into the fur, rinsing, and drying, and should involve several people 

so the animal can be washed as quickly as possible and reduce the need for extended anesthesia. 

Cleaning methods should follow the guidelines included in Appendix 6. 

After washing, bears should be provided clean drinking water or snow/ice at all times. Due to 

the risk of food conditioning (association of humans as a source of food), polar bears should not 

be fed if holding and treatment is short term and the bear is able to be returned to the wild.

Orphaned cubs that are not considered candidates for return to the wild may be fed as deemed 

necessary by the attending veterinarian. 

In extreme cases it may be necessary to euthanize severely oiled bears. Polar bears should be 

euthanized when the attending veterinarian decides that the damage to the bear is irreversible and 

the animal is not likely to recover. Euthanasia procedures should follow the American Veterinary 

Medical Association’s Guidelines on Euthanasia (AVMA 2007). A post-mortem necropsy 

should be performed by the veterinarian or other qualified person to increase knowledge on the 

effects of oil on polar bears and for NRDA purposes. 

6. Holding

Clinical parameters should be monitored and risks of disease transmission and stress 

minimized when holding polar bears. Holding cages made from steel tubing may be used while 

animals are in captivity. Holding cages should be comfortable for the bear. A cage with two 

compartments that can be chain-locked together is recommended so animals can be shifted back 

and forth for cage cleaning. With the exception of family groups, animals should be held in 

separate cages to avoid contact and unnecessary stress or aggressive encounters. Currently, one

Service-owned holding module capable of holding a family group, siblings, or a single bear is 

stored at the ACS Annex in Deadhorse. The holding module has ports that allow attachment of 

two smaller transport cages. Although the cages are designed for transporting adult polar bears, 

each is large enough that it could be used for short-term holding of non-adult bears. 

Polar bears that are brought into a treatment facility may be susceptible to disease transmission 

and should be held in quarantine. Quarantine procedures are described in Appendix 6. 

Throughout holding, detailed monitoring records should be kept for each bear, and copies 

should travel with the animal wherever it is moved. For each bear, regardless of final placement, 

a copy of the completed documents must be submitted to the Service’s MMM Office. A 

treatment monitoring form is provided in Appendix 9.

7. Release

To date, polar bear-specific release criteria have not been developed; therefore, the Service will 

determine on a case-by-case basis whether bears that have been cleaned or held short-term within 
29

their population range (Beaufort, Chukchi or Bering seas region) can be released into the wild. A 

release plan must be prepared and authorized by the FOSC prior to release. 

Prior to release, polar bears should display normal behavior, adequate body weight, clean fur, 

and have no signs of infections, disease, or injury. If released into the wild, bear(s) may be fitted

with a tracking device (ear tag or collar) for post-treatment monitoring. Oiled polar bears that 

have been transported to a treatment facility in Anchorage or other location outside polar bears’ 

range should not be released into the wild without consultation with co-management partners and 

wildlife health experts to determine risks associated with disease transmission.

Animals that the Service determines will not be re-released into the wild will be placed in zoos, 

aquaria, or research facilities. The Service will consult with the AZA Bear Taxon Advisory 

Group to determine the most suitable facility available for the continued care and maintenance of 

these polar bears (see Section III, List of Contacts). Long- term holding facilities that receive 

polar bears must provide: 1) staff, funding, and equipment to accompany polar bears during 

transport from the field or short-term holding facility; and 2) a list of qualified personnel that will 

be treating/monitoring the animal’s recovery. The receiving institution must also obtain a Letter 

of Authorization from the Service’s DMA office (see Section III, List of Contacts). Because 

polar bears are listed as a ―threatened‖ species under the ESA, they remain under authority of the 

Service (rather than belonging to the receiving zoo).

A draft decision matrix summarizing response strategies has been included in Appendix 10. This 

Plan will be updated periodically by the MMM Office to include new information as it becomes 

available. 

III. LIST OF CONTACTS

The internal, complete version of this Plan contains personal contact information for many 

response partners. This public web version has been redacted to exclude personal contact 

information, in order to protect the privacy of our response partners. Interested individuals may 

contact one of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees listed below if they have 

information needs related to preparedness or response activities.

Dr. Lori Verbrugge, Regional Spill Response Coordinator

Fisheries and Ecological Services

1011 E. Tudor Rd.

Anchorage, AK 99503

Tel. (907) 786-3483, cell (907) 242-6893

Lori_Verbrugge@fws.gov
30

Susanne Miller, Wildlife Biologist, Polar Bears

Marine Mammals Management

1011 E. Tudor Rd.

Anchorage, AK 99503

Tel. (907) 786-3828

Susanne_Miller@fws.gov

Craig Perham, Wildlife Biologist, Polar Bears

Marine Mammals Management

1011 E. Tudor Rd.

Anchorage, AK 99503

Tel. (907) 786-3810

Craig_Perham@fws.gov

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and management. IUCN Publication New Series 23.

Voorhees, H., R. Sparks and D. Stickman. 2012. Nanuq: Local and traditional ecological 

knowledge of polar bears in the Bering and Chukchi seas. Alaska Nanuuq Commission 

unpublished report, 114pp.

Wiig, Ø, S.E. Belikov, A.N. Boltunov, and G.W. Garner. 1996. Selection of marine mammal 

Valued Ecosystem Components and description of impact hypotheses in the Northern Sea Route 

Area. International Northern Sea Route Program (INSROP) Working Paper 40:1-70.

WWF 2014. World Wildlife Fund summary report 2014: modeling oil spills I the Beaufort Sea: 

exploring the risk. Available at http://arcticspills.wwf.ca/#intro/.

Personal Communications

Joel Garlich-Miller, Wildlife Biologist, Walrus Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine 

Mammals Management, tel. 907-786-3820; e-mail Joel_GarlichMiller@fws.gov.

Jason Herreman, Biologist, North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, tel. 907-

852-0350, e-mail Jason.Herreman@north-slope.org.

Pat Lampi, Director, Alaska Zoo, Anchorage, Alaska. Noted in review comments on draft 

Wildlife Response Plan for Polar Bears in Alaska. tel. 907-346-2133, e-mail 

plampi@alaskazoo.org.

Lee Majors, Alaska Clean Seas, tel. 907-659-3207, e-mail planning@alaskacleanseas.org.

Craig Perham, Incidental Take Coordinator, Polar Bear Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Marine Mammals Management, tel. 907-786-3810; e-mail Craig_Perham@fws.gov.

Dick Shideler, North Slope Brown Bear Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, tel. 

907-459-7283, e-mail dick.shideler@alaska.gov.
37

Appendix 1. Polar Bear Carcass Collection Form (Use to collect polar bear carcasses)

Carcass Collection Form INV: Activity Code:

Evidence seizure tag:

Date: Collector’s Names:

Location: Shoreline segment: Search Width (est):

Time start: GPS start: Time Stop: GPS stop:

Shoreline type: Shoreline back:

General notes:

Species ID # Photo # Oil Condition Emaciation Scavenging Comments
38

INV: Incident-specific assigned number Evidence Seizure Tag: Number imprinted on 

white evidence seizure tag

Activity Code:

1= carcass collection

2= wildlife capture team

3= operations task force (protection, cleanup)

4= LE activity

5= RAT survey

6= SCAT survey

7= NRDA activity

8= other (define)

ATTENTION: RECORDING THE START/STOP TIMES AND GPS AND ESTIMATING 

SEARCH WIDTH IS CRITICAL IN FUTURE ANALYSIS OF SEARCH EFFORT

Shoreline type: wave-cut platform in bedrock, rock shore, large rock/cobble beach, riprap, gravel beach,

mixed sand/gravel beach, sand beach, tidal/mudflat, marsh.

Shoreline back: habitat type, e.g., bluff/cliff, hillside, sand dune, marsh, upland meadow, forest, urban

General notes: Weather and ocean conditions, including ice conditions; other wildlife sightings in your 

search area; observations of actual predation, note tracks or other evidence of mammalian predators on 

beaches (fox, mink, bears, etc.); note number of live birds or mammals seen on near shore waters; how 

many of those appear to be lethargic, sickly, or obviously oiled; note evidence of other unusual mortality 

(e.g., fish, urchins or bivalves) or ocean conditions (plankton bloom, water temperatures, etc.

Condition codes:

A= fresh specimen (possibly still damp, eyes still intact, dead less than a day

B = dead less than a week (somewhat desiccated, eyeballs present but sunken, perhaps partially buried by 

sand/debris, but body still limp and flexible

C= week to a month old (body desiccated, rigid, eyeballs gone or sunken and completely hardened, parts 

missing

D= very old (more than a month, completely desiccated, brittle, may be incomplete e.g., just limbs, 

bones)

Degree of oiling codes:

0= no obvious oil on body

1= light spots of oil

2= moderate patches over body

3= heavily oiled all over

Degree of scavenging codes:

0= no evidence of scavenging

1= light scavenging (skin broken, some guts 

removed)

2= heavy scavenging (guts completely eviscerated, 

meat consumed)

Emaciation codes: 

1 = Skinny (emaciated appearance; vertebrae, ribs, and hip bones externally visible without palpation, no 

fat palpable between skin and muscle over the dorsal body, hips, or lower rump)

2 = Thin (vertebrae and hip bones [but not ribs] partially visible, easily palpable under the skin; little/no 

fat between skin and muscle over the back, small amounts of fat detectable on lower rump)

3 = Average (normal healthy appearance; vertebrae/hip bones not visible; upper 1/3 to 1/2 of the spinal 

column can be felt under the skin; detectable layer of fat between skin and muscle over rear half of body, 

thickening slightly but detectably over lower rump)

4 = Fat (vertebrae/hip bones not visible, palpation reveals fat deposited over upper vertebrae,

hip bones difficult to feel through fat; fat thick over rump; a hand rubbed above the rump will initiate 

ripples in the skin over the fat layer.

5 = Obese (vertebrae/hip bones undetectable by palpation, thick layer of fat is apparent between

skin and muscle 2/3 of the way up the back & over rump, a hand rubbed on lower back above

rump sets off waves of rolling fat, possibly jiggling).

ID#: Item No. on blue Evidence Identification Tag Photo #: digital photo number
39

Appendix 2. Polar Bear Field Sample Collection Form 

(Use when it is not possible to retrieve entire carcass)

Bear ID (Identify tags, tattoos, collars or assign bear ID) ______________________________

Collector(s) Name: _____________________________________________________________

Collection Date: _______________________Time: ___________________________________

Collection Location (specify locality, island name, bay name, include GPS coordinates if 

possible): _____________________________________________________________________

Photos taken? (describe) ________________________________________________________

Overall Physical Assessment

Age:  Adult (>4y)  Sub-adult (21⁄2-4y)  Yearling (1-21⁄2 y)  COY (< 1y)

Sex of Animal:  Male  Female

If female: Lactating? Yes/No Pregnant? Yes/No Fetus present? Yes/No 

Body Condition:  Emaciated  Thin  Normal  Fat

Hide Quality:  Normal  Slipping  Other___________________________ 

Nose Scars:  Present  No scars 

Tooth Wear:  Heavy  Moderate  Light  None 

Tooth loss (if so, specify): ________________________________________________________

Tooth Abscesses/Lesions (if any, describe and measure): _______________________________

Body Measurements

Heart Girth: _________ Neck at shoulder: ________ Neck at axial: ________

Skull Width:_________ Skull Length: ___________

Standard length: _____ Tail length: ____________ Total length: _________

Weight: __________ (lbs / kg) Scale ___ Estimate____

Additional comments of physical condition: 

_____________________________________________________________________________
40

Sample Collection: (check those collected)

 Hide  Skull

 Hair  Femur

 Ear punch  Blood

 Whiskers

 Tooth (specify ULP, URP, LLP, LRP, ULC, or URC)

 Feces

 Parasites

 Blubber  Kidney  Gall bladder

 Muscle  Liver  Stomach

 Spleen  Intestinal tract

 Heart

 Lung

Female:  Reproductive tract  Fetus (if pregnant)  Milk (if lactating)

Male:  Right testicle

 Other

Notes:________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
41

Appendix 3. Guidelines for Use of Electric Fence for Polar Bear Detection and Deterrence

Electric fences can be used to detect and deter bears at temporary camps or equipment caches 

established as part of oil spill response. Alarms can be purchased to affix to electric wire fences 

that are placed at a sufficient distance (10-35 m) from the camp’s perimeter so that when a bear 

walks through the wire, an alarm is tripped. This notifies and allows personnel time to retreat to a 

safe location or prepare deterrents, depending on the situation. 

Electric fences require care to make them effective; for example, wires should be situated so that 

a bear is unable to crawl under, through, or over the fence. Additionally, adequate grounding is 

an important factor to ensuring the effectiveness of a fence. Electric fence systems should be 

checked regularly, especially if using a solar-powered fence; low light conditions and drifting 

snow may reduce voltage (McMullen 2000). North Slope Borough biologists report that electric 

fences can be used on sea ice if properly maintained; the fence needs to be a minimum of four 

feet high (Jason Herreman, pers. comm.2012).

McMullen (2008) recommends use of the following heavy-duty electric fence system to deter 

polar bears during snow-free seasons from temporary camps:

 six strands of braided stranded wire supported on fiberglass posts

 alternating positive and negative wires

 first positive wire spaced 8‖ from the ground

 7/8‖ fiberglass corner posts and gate openings with back braces securely anchored into 

ground

 1/2‖ fiberglass line posts spaced about 15’ apart with snap-max clips to maintain wire 

spacing 

 specialized connectors to connect and tighten the fence wires

 ground rods wired to energizer/charger (which provides electricity to fence).

The energizer can be powered by either a 110 volt AC source, or a solar-charged 12 v DC 

battery; the energizer converts the power to high voltage (5,000-10,000 volts).

For additional information regarding electric fence please contact MMM Polar Bear Program at 

(907) 786-3800.
42

Appendix 4. Deterrence Guidelines

Prepared by Dick Shideler, ADFG, Oilfield Grizzly Project and Craig Perham, USFWS, Marine 

Mammals Management

USE OF PROJECTILES TO DETER BEARS. Bear deterrent projectiles fired from a 12 

gauge shotgun are potentially effective methods to haze bears. Projectiles, as used here, include

rubber bullets, beanbags, cracker shells, and screamers or whistlecrackers. The first two are 

used to actually hit the bear. The cracker shell is a noisemaker designed to provide a loud bang 

coupled with a flash. The screamer is also a noisemaker that makes a siren-like sound and smoke 

trail as it flies through the air, and if it has an explosive bang at the end it’s called a 

whistlecracker.

RESPONSE OF BEARS TO DETERRENTS. The response of individual bears to various 

types of deterrents will vary. Some bears do not appear to react to sharp noises (e.g., rifle shot), 

but may react to the screamers. Most respond to painful contact. The bear’s previous experience, 

especially with people and with garbage or other human-related food, may affect its response. 

Generally, the easiest bears to deter are those with no previous experience with people. Bears 

that have had many neutral encounters with people (called ―habituated‖ bears) may be more 

difficult to deter at first, tending to ignore many noises and activity (such as vehicle movement) 

because they’ve had no negative experience with them. However, these bears can usually be 

―trained‖ to avoid people within one or two encounters. The most difficult bears to deter will be 

those that have obtained garbage or human food (called ―food-conditioned‖ bears). They can 

endure considerable pain or disturbance to stay around such a nutritious food source, and may 

require numerous ―lessons‖ to convince them to leave. 

There has been some concern that hitting a bear with a projectile may cause it to subsequently 

become aggressive toward people. In reported cases where projectiles have been used to ―train‖ 

bears to avoid people, no bears have turned aggressive. In fact, the opposite is usually the case—

bears become more wary and try to avoid people. 

WHEN TO USE PROJECTILES. The decision to use a projectile to haze bears should be 

governed by several considerations. 

1. Safety: Projectiles are potentially dangerous--even lethal--to bears and humans! 

Misplaced shots could put out an eye, or kill if they hit soft tissue such as the flank or 

stomach where peritonitis could cause a lingering death. A wounded bear could be a 

serious safety hazard for personnel in the area. Missed shots could injure bystanders. 

Cracker shells and screamers can injure bears or humans if they explode too close, and 

can also ignite fires or explosions. Projectiles should only be used when there is a clear

line of sight with no potential for bystanders to wander into the line of fire, and no 

flammable materials or explosive atmosphere nearby. Therefore, other hazing methods 

that do not require projectiles should be tried first. These could include vehicle engine 

noise, sirens, boat horns, short chases with a vehicle (including 4-wheelers or snow 
43

machines in some cases), firecrackers, or banging on the side of a vehicle. If these are 

ineffective or unfeasible, projectiles should then be considered. 

2. Attractants: It is important to haze a bear BEFORE it obtains garbage or human 

food! Once a bear has obtained human food or garbage hazing is less likely to be 

effective in the short term and may decrease the bear’s response to hazing in the future. 

Some bears will endure considerable pain and noise to persist around a strong attractant 

with which they’ve had previous experience. If there is no immediate threat to human 

safety, removal of the attractant--e.g., garbage --should be the first priority. If the 

attractant cannot be removed immediately, hazing should commence as soon as possible 

if the bear is not already food-conditioned, but can be delayed if the bear has already had 

considerable experience obtaining garbage. 

3. Feasibility: Projectiles have a limited range for accurate and effective use: less than 50 

yards for rubber bullets and beanbags, and less than 100 yards for cracker shells and 

screamers. They are also easily deflected by brush, and highly susceptible to deflection 

by wind. 

HOW TO USE PROJECTILES. 

Target area: Only the beanbag and rubber bullet are used to directly hit the bear. The safest 

target areas are the large muscle masses, such as shoulder and rump or hip. Avoid shots at the 

bear’s head, ribs, or flank. Note that rubber bullets and beanbags are ―accurate‖ only to within 

12-18‖ of the point of aim (see Range below). 

Range: The safe and effective range for projectiles varies with the type.

 Beanbags (e.g., MK Ballistics ―Deerbuster,‖ All-Purpose ―Slapjack,‖ or DefTech ―Mod. 

23BR‖): 10-40 yards. Beanbags can be fired at the bear’s rump or shoulder at ranges as close 

as 10 yards, but accuracy drops off dramatically at 40 yards.

 Rubber bullets (Margo Supplies ―Strike Two‖): 20-50 yards. Closer than 20 yards risks 

penetrating the hide; farther than 50 yards and accuracy declines dramatically. At this time, 

we do not recommend other brands of ―rubber‖ or plastic bullets due to several recent cases 

of bear injury or death caused by their use. 

 Cracker shells (e.g., Stoneco ―Shellcracker‖) and screamers (e.g., Stoneco ―Screamer‖) or 

shell whistlecrackers: 75-100 yards. The main concern is to keep the noise between you and 

the bear. These are light loads so shooting into the wind will decrease the range, and shooting 

with the wind will increase it. Occasionally these rounds explode in or shortly out of the 

barrel, so wear suitable ear and eye protection. These rounds are not designed for accuracy, 

so shouldering the gun to aim is unnecessary, and can result in blowback into the shooter’s 

face from the breech if a shell goes off in the barrel. Firing from the hip is safer and just as 

effective. 

Shotgun use: These rounds will not work in auto-loading shotguns, only pump or break actions. 

Use only cylinder bore or improved cylinder chokes so that the wads do not stick in the barrel. 
44

When ready to shoot, get the bear’s attention: either shout yourself or have someone else shout 

just before you shoot so that the bear will learn to associate a common signal (person shouting) 

with a painful stimulus, and thereby learn to subsequently avoid people who shout at it. 

Especially after shooting cracker shells or screamers, inspect the barrel to make sure the wad has 

been expelled. It is advisable to have two shotguns available—one a break-action for checking 

the barrel after a deterrent round, and one a conventional pump loaded with lethal rounds for 

emergencies. If only the pump action is available, load individual deterrent rounds directly into 

the chamber and keep lethal rounds as back-up in the magazine. 

NOTIFICATION. For grizzly bears, fill out the Oilfield Grizzly Observation Form, noting 

particularly the range at which the bear was shot and the bear's reaction, and fax to Dick Shideler 

at 907-456-3091 at Fairbanks ADFG. If you have questions contact Dick Shideler at the grizzly 

project office (659-0120) in the North Slope Borough SA10 camp, or call 907-459-7283 in 

Fairbanks. 

For polar bears, fill out the Polar Bear Sighting Report, and fax to Craig Perham at Anchorage 

USFWS, 907-786-3816. If you have questions contact Craig at 907-786-3810.

PROTOCOL FOR HAZING POLAR BEARS BY HELICOPTER

Helicopter hazing can be conducted by authorized personnel to move polar bears away from 

facilities or field personnel in order to maintain human safety and bear safety.

 Keep a distance of approximately 1⁄4 mile between the bear(s) and helicopter, moving the 

bear(s) in a direction away from people and facilities. You may need to initially approach 

within the 1⁄4 mile distance (but not aggressively) to get the bear moving, especially if it’s 

resting, and then back off to the 1⁄4 mile distance.

 Push the bear at a steady walk. A running bear, especially large bears, can rapidly 

overheat.

 Don’t haze a bear with a helicopter when ambient temperature is over 70o F (20o C).

 Don’t aggressively push a bear. Bears may hunker down and not move if pushed or 

chased too aggressively. A slow approach is usually all it takes, especially if hovering 

near the ground creates a snow cloud from the helicopter’s propeller wash.

 Move the bear at least 2-3 miles from the point of initiation or occupied facilities, as a 

rule of thumb. This will depend on the situation: location of facilities, bear behavior, 

weather, and geographic features. The key element is to keep the bear moving on its own.

 Monitor the bear, if possible, to ensure the bear does not return.

Please note: The criteria above are to be used for Bell 212 and 206 helicopters or larger. If a 

small helicopter, such as an R-44 helicopter is to be used, it may have to move in much closer to 

initiate the hazing because these machines are quieter than the 212s and 206s.
45

Appendix 5. Pre-emptive Capture Data Form (for pre-emptive capture of non-oiled bears)

Bear ID:_________________ Date and Time:_________________ Known Sex: F M

Known age class: COY C1 C2 Sub Ad

Markings

Tattoo Applied Confirmed

R ear tag Applied Confirmed

L ear tag Applied Confirmed

Paint Applied Confirmed

Collars/Radio tags

ID Action (circle one) Freq. Pulse (bpm) Circ. (in.) Notes

Applied Removed

Applied Removed

Measurements and Indices

Heart 

Girth

Neck at 

axial

Skull L Stand L Weight(lb)

Neck at 

shoulder

Skull 

W

Total L Tail L Circle one

Scale Est.

Physical Observation Notes: 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Samples (circle for single sample or indicate quantity)

Blood Feces Tooth

Fat Hair UL UR

Ear punch Pedal LL LR

Milk Nose

Drug Delivery (all volumes are in cc)

Dose Time Method Load 

Vol.

Inj. 

Vol.

Inj. side Inj. Site Needle size Notes (record 

miss or other 

drug loss

1 G H L T R

2 G H L T R

3 G H L T R

4 G H L T R

Drug Response and Vital Rates

Time Temp (oF) Resp. (bpm) Notes

First ataxia

Bear down
46

Appendix 6. Guidelines for De-oiling, Handling, Treatment, and Release of Oiled Polar 

Bears

Purpose: the purpose of Appendix 6 is to expedite assessment and care of an oiled polar bear(s)

once it has been captured and delivered to a facility for de-oiling and treatment. 

Primary Contacts:

Contact information redacted from public version (see page 29)

Capture: Capture and delivery of oiled polar bears to the treatment facility will be conducted by 

the Service, U.S. Geological Survey, or their authorized designees only. The decision to capture 

and the capture operation itself is discussed in the Section III of this Plan. The decision on where 

the bear(s) will be cleaned and held should be made before the bear is captured so that it can be 

transferred directly to the cleaning/holding facility and minimize the immobilization and 

transport time. The holding cage should also be moved to the cleaning facility prior to capture. 

Veterinary care should be en-route or already on site before capture is initiated. If possible, a 

veterinarian should accompany USFWS on the capture flight/mission.

Facilities and equipment: The decision on where to wash and hold polar bears once they arrive 

at Prudhoe Bay will be made by ACS based on space availability and recommendations provided 

by the Service and veterinary staff. Below is a description of the primary options and available 

equipment (Lee Majors, ACS, pers. comm. 2012). 

ACS base: holding and cleaning could not be done at this building but totes containing 

equipment for cleaning and medical treatment are located on the top shelf of the 

warehouse/garage area. Deterrents are located on the second floor of warehouse (locked) 

and can be obtained through ACS staff only. 

Totes contain cleaning equipment as noted in Appendix 7. Medical supplies such as 

antibiotics and sedation drugs (and anything with an expiration date) are stored at the Pet 

Stop in Anchorage and should be brought up with the attending veterinarian. 

U-8: this large building is located adjacent to MCC in the East Operation Area (EOA) 

and is also the building dedicated to bird treatment. If birds are also being treated, an area 

at the far end of the building can be sectioned off for polar bears, as long as noise and 

traffic is kept to a minimum. This building contains a conex unit that is supplied with 

laboratory equipment intended for bird response. It also includes electricity, running 

(pressurized) water, and a 120 gallon water heater. It has a dirt floor and some windows 

that can provide outside light. It would be a good, quiet option if no other animals are 

being treated. Staff could be housed at MCC camp which is located within easy walking 

distance of the facility. 

ACS EOA Spill Response Team (SRT) building at MCC: this is a second smaller 

building near U-8 in the EOA that is designed to serve as a primary headquarters for spill 
47

response; however it could be converted to an exclusive ―bear area‖ if necessary. It also 

has electricity, bathrooms, pressurized water and a hot water heater. It has a concrete 

floor. Staff could stay at MCC camp. One culvert trap is located here (in front of garage 

doors 14-27). 

Santa Fe Pad (A4W1): this is a BP pad in the Western Operating Area (WOA) located 

about 15 miles from Deadhorse. It serves as a boat maintenance building in the winter but 

is largely empty by June. It has a concrete floor, no running water but water could be 

brought in by truck. It has electricity. It is located about 1 mile from BOC camp where 

staff could stay but vehicle transport would be needed.

All of the above buildings can be secured to restrict access; human activity will be 

reduced to minimize noise and stress to bears. 

ACS WOA SRT building: this building is similar to the EOA SRT building and also has 

a concrete floor and good drainage. It has running water but no reliable hot water; heated 

water or a water heater would need to be trucked in. It is attached to a camp which would 

be convenient for staff but may also be a concern in terms of noise. 

Arrival at cleaning facility: Once delivered to the cleaning facility, the attending veterinarian 

will be the lead for all aspects of handling polar bear(s). Only USFWS personnel or their 

authorized designees will assist the veterinarian in handling and cleaning procedures.

If not immediately washing: transfer the bear(s) to the holding cage and monitor the 

bear until the attending veterinarian decides to initiate immobilization procedures. 

o While waiting, visually note and record degree of oiling, behavior, and estimated 

weight and condition, as noted on the Assessment Form provided in Appendix 8

o Provide straw bedding

o Provide access to drinking water

o Limit as much human activity in the area as possible.

Chemical immobilization and restraint: drugging will be supervised by the attending veterinarian 

and his/her designees. 

 Use of Isoflourane gas can be used if deemed appropriate by the attending veterinarian.

 Hoist the bear onto a cleaning platform or table if possible

 Station one person to monitor head (breathing, heart rate, respiration) and an additional 

person to rump (rectal body temperature) throughout cleaning and treatment. Monitor 

vital rates every 5-10 minutes

 Prepare a 10% Dawn solution for cleaning; if using a 5 gallon bucket, 8 cups of Dawn 

detergent will be needed (water should be around 90o F when applied to the bear)

 Record information on the monitoring form provided in Appendix 9 (or similar form).
48

If bear is sufficiently immobilized: initiate stabilization procedures (primary needs will 

likely be to address thermoregulation and dehydration). Record all information on 

Assessment form provided in Appendix 8.

o Conduct physical exam; determine extent of oil contamination, other injuries, age

class, body condition, etc.

o Check oral cavity, eyes and ears for evidence of oil, bloody/mucous discharge 

(signs of disease or illness)

o Check for gurgling respiratory sounds, watery or bloody diarrhea

o Take blood samples to check for anemia or hemolysis (break down of red blood 

cells) as well as for presence of hydrocarbons, disease, etc. (one purple top tube 

and one red top tube at minimum; refrigerate samples)

o Evaluate feces as an indicator for need of gastrointestinal protectant (Pepto 

Bismol or activated charcoal)

o Clean mouth, ears with swabs to remove oil

o Clean eyes and apply eye ointment on cornea to prevent irritation

o Treat dehydration with IV fluids as determined by veterinarian 

o Regulate temperature as needed

o Address other injuries or signs of illness as necessary

o Assign a bear ID number

o Take photos of bear and oil on body, in mouth, etc.

o Take sample of oil

o Fill out chain-of-custody forms for any samples taken

o Record all treatment provided

o Start cleaning procedures once bear is medically stabilized.

Cleaning and Handling Procedures: The cleaning operation will require a total of at least six 

people for an adult bear: two to monitor vital rates and four people to wash the bear. The goal 

is to wash, rinse, and dry the animal as fast and as thoroughly as possible to minimize the 

amount of time the animal is sedated. The facility should be at 60-70 o F and have access to 

plenty of water. Water can be fresh or salt (preferably fresh) and should be at minimum 60 oF 

and preferably 90 oF (the warmer the better) before washing is initiated. Water hardness has 

not been assessed when cleaning polar bears, but generally, the softer the better. 

o All staff involved in cleaning should wear personal protective equipment (eye 

protection, rubber gloves, aprons and boots)

o The bear’s eyes should be covered for protection

o Apply a 10% Dawn solution; if mixing in a 5 gallon bucket, this will require 8 cups 

Dawn per 5 gallons of water (= 80 cups) and massage into fur

o Rinse bear with warm water (~90oF) to remove soap residue using a pressurized hose 

o Once rinsed, dry the bear using a hair dryer 

o The hair can be clipped or shaved if the bear’s condition is worsening, e.g., if it 

becomes necessary to reverse the drug or undergo emergency treatment; however, the 

risks of this technique (e.g., effects on the ability of bear to subsequently thermoregulate) have not been determined; therefore, shaving should only be considered as a 

last priority.
49

Holding: The bear should be moved to holding cage containing a straw or sawdust bed located 

away from other animals and human activity. To avoid any chance of food-conditioning (the 

association of humans as a food source), bears should not be fed while in captivity unless 

deemed necessary for their survival. If feeding during holding and treatment is deemed necessary 

for the survival of the bear(s), polar bears should be fed seal meat or blubber obtained from 

nearby village communities, when available. If such meat is not available, polar bears should be 

fed in accordance with the Polar Bear Nutritional Guidelines (Lintzenich et al. 2006) and the 

Standardized Care Guidelines for Polar Bears (AZA 2007). Additional guidance is available in 

the CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine: Health, Disease, and Rehabilitation (Dierauf 

1990).

o Provide clean drinking water or snow/ice at all times

o Clean cage at least once per day

o Monitor bear. 

Quarantine: To prevent disease transmission and minimize disturbance during recovery, bears 

should be quarantined. Quarantine practices include:

o prevent direct contact between the general public and polar bears

o prevent direct contact between polar bears and other animals

o use of a dedicated quarantine area including dedicated tools, transport equipment, 

medical and food preparation equipment (if applicable)

o use of dedicated protective clothing for personnel, including eye shields or safety glasses 

and gloves

o use of foot baths, glove baths, and other methods to disinfect clothing between handling 

animals 

o provide fresh air exchange

o thoroughly clean and disinfect buckets, hoses, scales, transport equipment, and cleaning 

equipment that is moved between animals

o ensure appropriate fencing and placement of holding pens to prevent direct contact 

between polar bears and foxes or other animals

o remove animal and food waste daily.

Euthanasia: In extreme cases it may be necessary to euthanize severely oiled bears. Polar bears 

should be euthanized when the attending veterinarian decides that the damage to the bear is 

irreversible and the animal will not recover. Euthanasia procedures should follow the American 

Veterinary Medical Association’s Guidelines on Euthanasia (AVMA 2007). This decision 

should be made by a qualified veterinarian in consultation with the Service. A post-mortem 

necropsy should be performed by the veterinarian to increase knowledge on the effects of oil on 

polar bears. A necropsy form is available in Appendix G of the Standardized Care Guidelines for 

Polar Bears (AZA 2007). Carcasses of bears euthanized with euthanasia solution must be buried 

in an approved landfill or incinerated to prevent secondary poisoning of scavengers.
50

Transport/release: Each polar bear will be examined and considered in stable condition by a 

qualified veterinarian to determine health status of the animal prior to transport/release.

Release to the wild: If release to the wild is an option, the bear should be released within its 

population range if possible.

o Develop a release plan and obtain FOSC approval

o Collect CBC/serum chemistry samples, fecal samples for parasites prior to release; any 

signs of infectious disease precludes release into wild. 

o Affix a monitoring device to track bear after release. 

Transport and placement in a zoo/aquarium: If placed at a zoo or aquarium, the AZA should 

be contacted to determine an appropriate location and DMA should be contacted for 

authorization prior to transport. For air transport outside of Alaska, IATA regulations require 

cages with the following:

o constructed of heavy, durable materials such as hardwood, metal, aluminum, or welded 

mesh

o adequate ventilation

o sliding or guillotine doors of welded mesh or strong iron bars that do not allow 

claws/limbs to penetrate

o secure fasteners on doors to prevent accidental opening

o interior siding lined with sheet iron or hard metal with ventilation holes and access port 

for pole syringe

o wooden or other shutters with vents to reduce disturbance

o large enough size to allow bear to stand on all fours with head extended, and to lie down

o watering containers affixed off floor and accessible from outside

o slatted floor with trays for excrement, or leak-proof floor with sorbent materials

o transport temperature between -4 to 21 o C (25-70 o F)

o located in a manner that minimizes light and noise during transport

o label and Transport Plan affixed to cage, approved by the attending veterinarian.
51

Appendix 7: Equipment and supplies available for capture and treatment of polar bears.

Capture/transport 

equipment

Amount Storage Location

Backboard 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse

Culvert trap #1 (Shell) 1 contact Shell

Culvert trap #2 (ADFG) 1 ACS spill response team building 

at MCC (Eastern Operating Area)

Culvert trap #3 (ADFG) 1 ACS spill response team building 

at Kuparuk (Western Operating 

Area)

Culvert trap #4 (USFWS) 2 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Holding cage (12’ x 12’ 

module) with 2 detachable 

transport cages (USFWS)

1 USFWS conex at ACS Annex in 

Deadhorse

Leather gloves 5 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Sling (for aerial transport) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Transport cage #1 (cub) 1 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Transport cage #2 (cub) 1 Alaska Zoo Anchorage

Transport cage # 3 (up to 

sub-adult size)

1 ACS Deadhorse

Weighing tripod 1 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Weighing tripod 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Cleaning and handling 

supplies

Amount Location

AA batteries (for 

headlamps)

32 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Bleach (chlorine) 1 gallon ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Buckets 5 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Chest freezer (sample 

storage)

1 ACS MCC – U-8 building 

Deadhorse

Chlorohexidine solution 

(antiseptic scrub)

1 gallon ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Clipboards 10 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Come-a-long 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Coolers (94 qt.) 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370
52

Dawn detergent (96 oz) 15 bottles ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Disinfectant (Novalsan 

solution)

1 gallon ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Duct tape 5 rolls ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Dry erase board 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Extension cord (50’) 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

First aid kit 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse Tote # 

370

Funnel set 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Hair rakes 4 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Hair 

clippers/scissors/clipper 

lube

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Hair dryer 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Headlamps 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Hose nozzles 3 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Hoses (50’) 3 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Notebooks 5 notebooks MMM warehouse Anchorage

Paper 1 ream MMM warehouse Anchorage

Permanent pens 12 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Pliers 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Power strip 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Reference: Drug dosages 2 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Reference: AZA Husbandry 

guidelines

2 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Reference: AZA Nutrition 

guidelines

2 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Reference: USFWS polar 

bear oil spill response plan

2 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Rubber aprons 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Rubber boots Need to bring your own Each responder
53

Rubber gloves 5 XL and 3 L ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Rubber pants (L) 3 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Safety glasses 10 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Sawdust or hay 1-2 bales Alaska Zoo

Scrub brushes 13 ACS warehouse Deadhorse totes # 

371 and 372

Sorbent pads (18‖ x 18‖) 1 bag ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Sponges 4 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Storage containers (plastic 

Rubbermaid)

3 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Storage totes 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Tool kit (yellow) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Towels 5 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Trash bags (33 gallon) 1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Medicines Amount Location

Aminophylline 25mg/ml, 

10 ml (IV broncho-dilator) 

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Antibiotic (oral) 200 mg 

(100 count) 

(Cefpodoxime/Simplicef )

1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Antibiotic (oral) -

Cephalexin 500mg (500 

count)

1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Antiseptic solution 

(Betadine)

2 bottles MMM warehouse Anchorage

Antiseptic topical ointment 2 tubes MMM warehouse Anchorage

Atropine sulfate 1/120 

grain, 100 ml (reversal)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Cod liver oil 5 gallons Pet Stop Anchorage

Dexamethazone 4mg/ml, 30 

ml vial (cortico-steroid IV)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Dextrose 50%, 500 ml (IV 

glucose supplement) 

1 ACS Deadhorse warehouse tote # 

370

Diazapam injectable 2 boxes of 10 vials each Pet Stop Anchorage
54

(respiratory stimulant)

Epinephrine 1:10000, 10 ml 

(increase heart rate, dilate 

airway)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Eye ointment (plain), 

artificial tears (lubrication)

6 Pet Stop Anchorage

Eye ointment (antibiotic)

(treat ulcers etc.)

2 tubes ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Eye ointment – Neopolydex 

suspension (antibiotic and 

steroid) (treat conjunctivitis 

etc.)

6 tubes Pet Stop Anchorage

Eye wash (cleaning dirt) 12 Pet Stop Anchorage

Famotidine (GI tract 

protector)

2 bottles Pet Stop Anchorage

Fatal Plus 250 ml

(euthanasia solution)

1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage

Fluroscein strips (50 count) 

(detect eye scratches)

1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Furosimide 10 mg/10 ml 

(diuretic)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Isoflurane gas (anesthesia) 2 bottles Pet Stop Anchorage

Ivermectin 250 ml

(parasites)

1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage

Ketamine (immobilization) 8 bottles Pet Stop Anchorage

Lactated ringers solution 1 

liter (IV hydration) 

12 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Lock box (drug transport) 1 Pet Stop Anchorage 

Mannitol 20% 100 ml

(diuretic in case of renal 

failure)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Metacloprimide injectable 

(Reglan) (intestinal 

protectant)

2 bottles Pet Stop Anchorage 

Metronidazole 500 mg (500 

count) (de-worming)

1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage 

Mineral supplements 1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage 

Multi-vitamins (Hivite 

drops)

12 bottles Pet Stop Anchorage

Panacur suspension, 1 liter

(parasites)

1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Posatex (ear treatment) 1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage 

Prednisolone 20 mg (500 1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage
55

count) (anti-inflammatory)

Saline solution, .9% (12 

count) (IV fluids)

1 case Pet Stop Anchorage

Sodium bicarbonate 8.4%, 

50 ml (GI tract)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Sulcralfate 1 g (100 count) 

(digestion) 

1 bottle ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370 

Telazol (immobilization) 8 bottles Pet Stop Anchorage

Toxiban granules (toxin 

adsorption)

1 lb. bag ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Vitamin B12 250 ml, 3000 

mcg

1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage

Vitamin B Complex 1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage

Xylazine (immobilization) 1 bottle Pet Stop Anchorage

Medical exam/treatment 

equipment and supplies

Amount Location

Agar gel (for microscope 

plates) (50 count)

1 bag ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Anesthesia machine 1 Alaska Zoo

Anesthesia mask 1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Anesthesia vaporizer 1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Azostix (test urine) 25 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Blood collection tubes (50 

count)

1 bag ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Catheter, 18 gauge 12 Pet Stop Anchorage

Catheter, 20 gauge 12 Pet Stop Anchorage

Centrifuge (spin blood –

separate whole blood into 

serum)

1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Chemical booties 12 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Cotton balls/swabs 6 bags/2 pkg. ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Culture swabs (test for 

infection)

3 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Dart gun, DanInject 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Dental kit (Jorgensen 

elevator, winged elevator, 

extractor)

1 each Pet Stop Anchorage

Dremmel tool (drilling) 1 Pet Stop Anchorage
56

Endo-tube, red rubber (trach 

tube)

Various sizes Pet Stop Anchorage

Footbaths 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Gauze (3‖x 3‖) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Gloves, exam (L, M, S) 1 box each ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Gloves, latex (L) 1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Glucometer 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Hematocrit tubes, 75 mm x 

1.2 mm (200 count)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Hydrogen peroxide 1 bottle ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Isopropyl alcohol, 70% 1 bottle ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

IV drip sets, 15 drops/ml 12 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

IV catheters, 16 gauge and 

22 gauge

10 each ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

IV fluid stand 1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Jabstick 1 Alaska Zoo Anchorage

Needles, 18, 20, 22 gauge x 

11⁄2‖

1 box each ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Needles, blood collection 

20 gauge x 1 1⁄2 ―, 100 count

1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Needles, spinal 18 gauge x 

3 1⁄2‖

2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Opthalmoscope (eyes) 1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Otoscope (ears) 1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Oxygen tank 1 Alaska Zoo

Pipettes (50 count) 1 bag ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Scalpel/blades 1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Scissors 1 each ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370 and Pet Stop Anchorage

Sharps container (biohazard 

disposal)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Sterile water for injection 

(25 count)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Stethoscope 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370
57

Stomach tube (large) 3 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Stomach tube (medium) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Stomach tube (small) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Surgical blades (100 count) 1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote #

370

Surgery forceps, adson 

brown – thumb

1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Surgery forceps, kelly 

clamps

1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Surgery forceps, mosquito

clamps

1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Surgery forceps, tissue –

thumb

4 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Surgical cap 12 Pet Stop Anchorage

Surgical drapes 1 box Pet Stop Anchorage

Surgical mask 1 box Pet Stop Anchorage

Surgical sponges 12 Pet Stop Anchorage

Surgical sterilizing (huck) 

towels 

12 Pet Stop Anchorage

Suture kit 4 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Syringes, 1 ml 1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Syringes, 3 ml (100 count) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Syringes, 6 ml 1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Syringes, 12 ml (50 count) 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Syringes, 20 ml (25 count) 4 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Syringes, 60 ml (20 count) 3 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Tape measure (120‖) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Tape, medical 1 box Pet Stop Anchorage

Test tube rack 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Thermometers 4 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Urinalysis reagent sticks 1 bottle ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 
58

370

Vacutainers, lavender, 3 ml 1 lot ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Vacutainers, red and gray, 

8.5 ml

1 lot ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Vacutainers, red top, 7 ml 1 lot ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Vet test purple tube, 1.3 ml 

(100 count)

1 bag ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Vet wrap, 2‖ 1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Wash table 2 Alaska Zoo

Necropsy equipment and 

supplies

Amount Location

Aluminum foil (150 sq. ft.) 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Body bags 23 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

518

Coolers (small size for 

samples)

4 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Cryotubes (tissue/blood 

archive storage in ultra-cold 

freezer)

1 bag MMM warehouse Anchorage

Cutting boards 2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Digital scale 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Food scale (hanging type) 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

372

Forceps (Brown adson) 4 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Formalin (buffered) 1 gallon ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Formalin spill kit 1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

518

Hazmat bags, 33‖ x 60‖ 24 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

518

Gigle wire (sawing bone) 1 Pet Stop Anchorage

Gigle wire handles 2 Pet Stop Anchorage

Hazmat bags, 6‖ x 9‖ (500 

count)

1 box ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

518

Hemostats 5 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Knives 1 set ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 
59

370

Sample bags, 18 oz. (500 

count)

1 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Sample jars, plastic, 16 oz 6 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Sample jars, plastic, 60 ml 4 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Sample jars, clear, 500 ml 

(12 count)

2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Sample jars, I-CHEM 24 MMM warehouse Anchorage

Scalpel handle and blades 7 handles, 1 box blades ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Scissors, 7 3⁄4‖ (post 

mortem)

2 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Scrub care, Exidine 1 bottle ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Slides, microscope, cover 

slips, holders

3 boxes ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370

Stainless steel bowls 5 ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

371

Whirlypacs 1 bag MMM warehouse Anchorage

Ziplock bags, quart and 

gallon size

1 box each ACS warehouse Deadhorse tote # 

370
60

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61

Appendix 8. Assessment Record for Oiled/Orphaned Polar Bears

Bear ID _______________________ Ear tag #________Collar #________ Tatoo # ________

Date_____________ Capture location (GPS/map)___________________Capture Time_____

Capture staff: _________________________________________________________________

Sex: M____F____UNK____ Age: _______ How determined__________________________

Weight___________________ Actual or Estimate? (circle one)

Immobilized? (check one) No____Yes____ (see Capture Form for drug delivery doses and 

times)

Method of transport_____________________ Transport duration:_____________________

Degree of body oiling: (circle one) Heavy (>60%) Moderate (30-60%) Light (<30%) 

Behavior at arrival: (circle one) Agitated Aggressive Comatose Lethargic Panting Shivering 

Other_________________________________________________________________________

Ingestion of oil? Observed____ Suspected____Why?_________________________________

Inhalation of oil? Observed ____ Suspected____Why?________________________________

Body Condition Score (1-5) ______________________________________________________

 
62

PHYSICAL EXAM

SYSTEM NORMAL ABNORMAL COMMENTS

Integumentary (skin)

Circulatory Heart rate = 

Time: 

Respiratory Respiratory rate = 

Time: 

Opthalmic

Otic

Gastrointestinal Stool quality: hard or liquid

Blood present?

Reproductive Lactating ?

Urinary

Musculoskeletal

Other Temperature =

Time: 

DIAGNOSTICS/SAMPLE COLLECTION

Blood: _______________________________________________________________________

Feces: Parasite exam ____________________________________________________________ 

Cultures: Rectal ____ Other Lesions (describe)________________________________________

Other samples collected:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Veterinary Signature____________________________________ Date____________________
63

Appendix 9. Monitoring form for polar bears during de-oiling treatment and recovery. 

Date/

Time

Heart 

Rate

Respiration Temperature SPO2 (oxygen 

saturation)

Staff initials

Notes: (date, time, quantity of food/water input, stool/urine 

output________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
64

Appendix 10. DRAFT Decision Matrix for Polar Bear Management during an Oil Spill
65

Appendix 11. Natural Resources Damage Assessment Guidelines for Alaska

(to be included when they become available)