Rise of the Pizzly Bear

Sophie O’Donnell deep dives into the extraordinary world of hybrid animals, exploring the specific example of the ‘pizzly bear’ (a polar and grizzly bear fusion) and connecting their rising numbers in the wild to climate change and the conservation movement.

A trio of polar bears surrounded by water, symbolising the declining conditions of their Arctic habitat as a result of climate change. Image Credit: NOAA’s National Ocean Service on Flickr.

Climate change and hybridisation

Climate change is a widely recognised global crisis with far-reaching implications for both the natural and anthropogenic world, primarily to their detriment. The Arctic and northern high latitudes face the most prominent climatic and environmental shifts, as illustrated by rapidly warming temperatures that exceed the rest of the globe and shrinking and thinning sea ice. A less spotlighted outcome of climate change is the movement of species beyond their natural habitat range - as original habitat conditions no longer support species’ fitness and survival -  and the unlikely union of distinctly different species, out of which emerge novel and hybrid offspring.

Polar and grizzly bears display this unique interaction, producing a new hybrid known as the ‘pizzly bear’. The first wild pizzly bear was seen in 2006, and since then crossovers of the parent species have become more common in the northern latitudes; pizzly bear numbers are on the rise and we have climate change and a growing habitat overlap to thank.

Most are familiar with the iconic polar and grizzly bear, but what do their hybrid offspring look like?

The pizzly bear is a strong reflection of the two parent bear species, both in their outward appearance and how they behave. Their creamy white colouring, matching that of the polar bear, is blended with patches of darker grizzly bear fur on the paws, legs, and around the eyes. Hybrid bears have a body shape and size that falls in between the smaller broad grizzly and the larger slender polar bear, and they feature the same hump that is seen on the upper back of a grizzly bear.

A pizzly bear showcasing the physical characteristics it shares with each parent bear species. Image Credit: Corradox via Wikimedia Commons.

Transcending physical looks, pizzly bears combine the foraging behaviour and diet of each individual parent species, expanding the range of resources they can use, the food they can harvest and consume, and habitat types they can occupy relative to their more specialised parents. In a world experiencing large-scale environmental change and loss, this level of flexibility in terms of survival needs will be pivotal for the continued existence of species.

Fear and fascination surrounding these hybrid bears

In the context of climate change, pizzly bears have a survival edge over their parent bears which could lead to rising numbers of these Arctic hybrids whilst polar bears are simultaneously lost from the wild. Fears of a future landscape where pure species are scarce (or absent) are further embedded by the media detailing pizzly bears to be undesirable unnatural outputs of the global climate crisis, threatening both biodiversity and polar bear survival.

Scientists are pushing a different and more hopeful narrative, revealing that hybridisation could signal a form of resilience to climate change and that pizzly bears could successfully assume the ecological position of their top predator parent bears. Through this lens, pizzly bears appear to be highly valuable figures that could help maintain ecosystem stability and integrity. This is particularly critical for the Arctic environment where the growing absence of polar bears threatens ecosystem collapse.

The value of pizzly bears for Arctic conservation

Hybrid bears could play a key role in conservation by carrying the genes of the vulnerable polar bear, safeguarding the polar bear genome as the northern regions grow warmer. This is a more controversial and alternative approach to preserving the polar bear, however, it may be necessary as climate change rates far outpace the natural adaptation of purebred polar bears. Pizzly bears are widening the scope for genetic and ecological conservation and could be pivotal for building resilience in the Arctic, supporting the longevity of this ecosystem by keeping it operational, biodiverse, and balanced in a world facing considerable change.

The acceptance and integration of hybrid species into conservation efforts currently face numerous barriers that first need to be broken down. Negative perceptions and fears of hybrid species have been brought to light as a key barrier to their acceptance in conservation. Additionally, polar bears hold significant cultural and spiritual values, as well as being powerful emblems of the climate change movement and tourism. These assets are unparalleled, unlikely to be fulfilled by the pizzly bear, presenting yet another hurdle to a positive reception.

Looking to the future

Climate change and hybridisation are tightly linked phenomena and both will feature in the future of the planet; hybrid species are here for the long haul. As new species emerge and a new Arctic climate and landscape materialises, it could also be time for a new approach to conservation. Pizzly bears are ready for life in this novel and warmer environment, so could these unexpected hybrid bears pave the way for a more resilient and robust Arctic?

About the author: Sophie O’Donnell is a final year MSci Environmental Science student at the University of Exeter. She has a strong passion for ecological conservation, with a particular fondness for small and often misunderstood invertebrates, and hopes to share their importance and beauty with others. Get in touch with Sophie through email (sophiebethodonnell@gmail.com) or Instagram (sophie0donnell).