of Wildlife

Journal

Acute

Gastric

Free-living

Dilatation

Polar

Steven

C. Amstrup

Service,
Fairbanks,

1011 East Tudor

Alaska
99775,

and

Volvulus

msificant

and Carol

difficulty

of

death.

Road,
USA

A. Nielsen,2
Anchorage,

Polar
of

stomachs

that
The

seasors

bears

Alaska

are

at
well
of

combined
vigorous
us

late

the

spring

Alaska
Fish and
99503,
USA;

one

time

amid

adapted
food

in

winter

with
voluntary
activity
during
may

have

have

dilatation,

necropsy,

torsion,

consgestion,

case

the

beans

mortality

32

km

They

(Ursus

maritimus)

are

addition
conspecifics,

to catch

Beaufort

to
large

Sea.

polar
un-

of

oilthe

on a shelf
of ice at
Island
(70#{176}29.9N,

an uninhabited
of Deadhonse,
reasonably
sune

north
were

University

largely

attempts

and Wildlife
of Alaska,

barrier
island
Alaska
(USA).
that
the bean

had not been

at that site when
they
oven
it
that
morning.
Because
weather,
the bear
was not retrieved
26 June
1987.
It was then
shipped

mortality,

among

Alaskan

148#{176}59.7W),

this

history.

factors

with

in
and

carcass
of a polar
bear
the
beach
of Cross

early

Alaska

passed
of bad
until
to the

(Fairbanks,

Alaska

the
morning
mately
4 days

where
it was necnopsied
on
of 27 June
1987,
appnoxiafter
death.
Environmental

temperatures

at Deadhonse

99775,

Natural

mortalities,
humans

U.S. Fish
University

On the afternoon
of 23 June
1987,
field personnel
in a helicopter
observed

fasting
and
the breeding

volvulus,

associated

cupies

large

predisposed

by

Center,
Biology,

dangerous
prey
(Kiliaan
and Stirling,
1978;
Stirling,
1984).
This report
describes
the nonviolent
death
of a large
adult
male
polar
bean
from
the population
that
oc-

gorg-

and

Research
of Arctic

and

large

to periodic

Wildlife
Institute

reported
caused

are

dilacause

consume

only
those

bear
to GDV.
The
relationship
between
CDV
and postprandial
exercise
emphasizes
the need
for a better
understanding
of how the present
human
invasion
of arctic
habitats
may inifluence
polar
bear
activities.
Key
words:
Polar
bear,
(irsus
nsaritirnus,
gastric

pp. 601-604

1989,

in a

anterior

that
gastric
the proximate

frequenitly

food

scarcity

spring,
protracted

repositionsing

organs,
indicated
(GDV)
was

quantities
imig.

in

25(4),

Bear

ABSTRACT:
A large,
adult
male polar
bear (Crsus maritimus)
as
foumsd
dead
on
a barrier
islansd
north
of Prudhoe
Bay, Alaska
(USA),
in
J une 1987. There
were no external
signs of trauma.
A twisted
distended
stomach,
distinctive
parenchymal
and
fascial
congestion,
and
sig-

abdominal
tation-volvulus

Diseases,

USA)

ranged

from

known.
Hunting
by humans
is an important
mortality
factor
for polar
beans
(Stirling
et al.,
1976;
Taylor
et al.,
1987;
Amstrup
and DeMaster,
1988) and the only
factor
quantified
for any
species
of bean

to 9 C for the 3 day period

the carcass
was
known
to be on Cross
Island.
At necropsy
the adult
male bean weighed

(Cowan,
1972; Stirling
et al., 1976;
Bunnell
and
Tait,
1985).
Predation
and
agonistic
intraspecific
behaviors
are the most
commonly
discussed
natural
causes
of death,

behind

particularly
1948;
Young
1983;
Lunn

bears

are

not

yet

understood

the

cutaneous

negligible.
condition,
the left

limitadeaths

tem
was

(Rogers

scapulae

was

170

was

shallow

The
but
rump

change).
pulled,

layer

601

cm.

The

sub-

(<1

cm)

A small
amount
of mespresent.
The
coronary
fat
but renal
capsular
fat was
beans

pelage

epilation,
area,
had
A first lower
decalcified,

(Stirling
et al., 1977);
mined
to be 16-yr-old.
Despite
moderate

and Rogers,
1976;
Bunnell
and Tait,
1981;
Yodzis
and Kolenosky,
1986; Rogers,
1987).
Among
free-living
adult
polar
bears,
the

from
nose
tip
girth
measured

fat

and discontinuous.
entenic
fat was
band
was broad,

among
young
Unsidae
(Boyer,
and
Ruff,
1982;
Stningham,
and Stenhouse,
1985;
Dean
et

al., 1986).
The roles
of nutritional
tion, parasites
and disease
in causing
of

505 kg. Total

body
length
to tail base
was 253 cm;

the

was

in good

particularly
over
begun
(postmorpremolan
tooth
and
sectioned
bear

to severe

was
autolysis

deterof

JOURNAL

602

OF WILDLIFE

DISEASES,

VOL. 25, NO. 4, OCTOBER

1989

internal
organs,
gross
changes
in the abSquash
preparations
and
smears
of these
nodules,
stained
with
new methylene
blue
dominal
cavity
were
striking.
A markedly
revealed
aggregates
of
crystalline
material
distended
stomach
nearly
filled
the antechange).
There
were
yellownor abdominal
cavity
and was notated
180#{176} (postmortem
white
crystalline
striae
in all renal
pelves
in a clockwise
direction
as viewed
yentrally,
with
face
of the
bulb

and

tightly
cranial

the hemorrhagic
pylonic
antrum

the

adjacent

stretched
quadrant.

serosal
sunduodenal

of the

pancreas

and twisted
into
The esophagus

tended

fundus

cranial
hanged,

quadrant,
congested

into

right

the

base

and

were

pulled

into

the

and the
spleen

moderately
was also

and

positioned

quadrant

sal to the body

ach, duodenum,

the
and

of the stomach.
pancreas
and

allowed
odorous

an undetermined
gas
to escape,

walled,
collapsed
(opened
dimensions
were
an estimated
watery

fluid

with

larger

than

throughout
and
pylorus.
bursa
area,
other

donstomcould

sites

hemorrhages
were

and
diffusely

of nona thin-

no particmm3.

Occa-

hemorrhage.

the
left
exuded

hepatic
considerable

surface;

the

The
lobe

to

right

parenchyma

was
blood

and

deep
from

caudate

of
red
the

lobes

ing

and
cut
were

only slightly
congested.
Congestion
and
fuse
hemorrhages
along
fascial
planes
the right
retrolumbar
area
were
also
parent.
Numerous
hard,
gritty
white
nodules
mm
oven

difof
ap<1

in diameter
were
diffusely
distributed
many
of the senosal
surfaces,
includthe

liver

ularly
prominent
the
epicardial

and

spleen,
on
and

and

was

moderately

amount
tenial.
The

were

distended
content
scanty,

obsmall
by gas,

of the entire
with
a small

of fluid
and
negligible
solid
maThe gall bladder
was distended.
proximate
cause
of death
of this

bear seems
to have
been
volvulus
(GDV).
Rabies,
pathologic

conditions
might

Sections
were

gastric
dilatationintoxications
and
with
not

of standard

prepared,

but

more

have

were

sub-

been

de-

preserved

tis-

found

to be

too autolytic
for histopathological
examination.
Nevertheless,
supporting
the
diagnosis
of GDV
were
(1) the distinctive
pattern
of
panenchymal
and
fascial
congestion
observed,
as distinguished
from
postmortem
imbibition,
and
(2) the relative difficulty
with
which
the abdominal
organs
were
repositioned,
indicating
this
was
not a postmortem
artifact.
We
hy-

rare
puncdistributed

adjacent

severe
autolysis
left kidney.
The

but otherwise
normal;
intestinal
tract
was

sues

junction

the
stomach
and
spleen
were
markedly
congested.
The
ventral
epiploic
fonamen
and the area around
the base of the portal
vein near
the hepatic
hilus
contained
suffusive

intestine

tected.

mucosa
of the gastric
body
The
mesogastrium,
omental
gastrosplenic
ligament,
and all
attachments

kidney;
in the

tle manifestations

the

mesenteric

right
changes

other

only

stomach
38
x 56 cm
50 x 60 cm). Contents
1,600
ml of ned-yellow

ulate

sional
focal
tate ulcerations

enpulled

quantity
leaving

(bile-stained),
ingesta

night

The
spleen

be repositioned
into their
connect
with
difficulty.
Incision
at the gastroesophageal

left
dis-

of the
scured

partic-

the penicardium
and
endocardial
surfaces.

pothesized
that GDV
in this bean
after
ingestion
of water.
Ingestion
followed
by exercise
may
cause
dogs
(Morgan,
of fluid
(and

1982).
The
solids)
in this

occurred
of water,
GDV
in

small
beans

amount
stomach

seemed
contrary
to the usual
symptoms,
however,
and
cannot
be explained.
Perhaps
some
water
could
have
escaped
the
stomach

before

necropsy.

In dogs,
GDV
of deep-chested
sociated

with

is most
breeds,
overeating,

ing, or postprandial
Wingfield,
1975;
GDV
quency

seems
to be
of feeding

common
in males
and
is often
asexcessive

exercise
Morgan,

(Cornelius
1982).

inversely
related
(Van
Knuiningen

drinkand
Also,
to freet al.,

1987).
The
inevitable
outcome
of GDV
is
a sudden
and
drastic
compromise
of venous
return
from
the stomach
and spleen
(Orton
and Muir,
1983)
leading
to severe
local

edema

mise

(Morgan,

that

exacerbates
1982).

Ventricular

the

comproarrhyth-

SHORT

mias

(Muir,

1982),
are

1982;

systemic
the

Muir

common

dilatation
common

and

shock,

and

Weisbrode,
a rapid

outcomes.

Acute

and
gastnitis
in captive
bears

son,

death
gastric

are
considered
because
of the

adult

females
spring

males

compete

(Ramsay
observations

pack
ignore

ice

and

verify
many

COMMUNICATIONS

vigorously

Stirling,
of polar

that sexually
mature
hunting
opportunities

cause

lanly
large

High
activity
levels
in a relatively
and sunny
spring
time environment

susceptible
body
size,

and

capacious

tam

aspects

them
Polar

to GDV,
because
deep
chested
stomach,

of their

to periodic
bears
feed

gorging
primarily

hispida)
(Smith
and Archibald,

of seals,

walruses

dispose

on food or water.
on ringed
seals
and
1977).

mammals
(Kiliaan

cer-

may

(Odobenus

other
marine
en numbers

because

ecology

(Phoca
Stirling

DeMaster
are large
successful

and

of their
structure,

Stirling,
Other

1975;
species

rosrnarus)

are
and

and

eaten
in smallStirling,
1978;

and Stirling,
1981).
Because
seals
prey
items
and intervals
between
hunts
may
be long,
polar
bean

feeding
is characterized
ing
(Amstrup,
1986).

by periodic
Scavenging

gongalso
is

common
among
polar
beans,
and
lange
bears
often
take
food
from
smaller
beans
(Amstnup
and DeMaster,
1988).
Thus,
selection
favors
beans
that
quickly
derive
maximum
benefit
from
kills.
Best
(1977)
determined
that
polar
bears
could
consume
up to
30 mm,
and
bean
lent

of their
body
the stomach

weight
in
of a polar

can hold
an amount
of food
equivato 20% of its total
body
weight.

Polar
mer

10%
that

bears

and

fall

are

hypenphagic

when

in the

young

sum-

inexperienced

are

intent

The
lean
condition
it had eaten
little

be expected
into

to promote
have

the

of them

in the

Funding

for

nished

by

the

banks.
We
Helicopters,

of

winter

males.
in the
March
DeMasten,

may

be

the

compounded

in

The breeding
season
of polar
Beaufont
Sea
extends
from
through
1988).

May
During

(Amstnup
the breeding

beans
late
and
sea-

befacin-

(Amstnup

et al.,

polar
bears
norBecause
gastric
be asso(Come1982),

work

University

Alaska,

Fair-

of

and

1986,

K.

for

co-

of the carcass.
M. AnC. Ely, and G. Garner
this manuscnipt.
CITED

Polar

bear.

Society,

D.

P.

New

DEMASTER.

maritinimzs.

Alaska:

In Auduboms
(ed).
York,
1988.

Selected

wild-

The
New

NaYork,

accounts

Mammal

pp.

I. STInsn.Ic,

Polar

marine
with

Commission,

bear

mammals
research

J.

recommendations,

Marine

D.C.,

In

Species

management
(ed).

Bollingen

790-804.
AND

ton,

of
ERA
discovery

R. L. DiSilvestro

Audubon

(Jrsus
of

by
Necfur-

1986.

report,

tional

provided
Service.
were

LITERATURE
life

was

and
Wildlife
and
equipment

bean

S. C.

rigors
adult

and

thank
personnel
Inc.,
for reporting

dead

pp.

by

Sea

of the
increase.

this

the U.S. Fish

ropsy
facilities

Sea show
that
adult
polar
50% of their
peak autumn
initiated

ecological

pothat

h uman-associated
disturbances
to polar
bears
should
be minimized
as much
as possible
to avoid
inducing
this on other
conditions
that
might
be related
to stress.

ANISTRUP,

stress

in

wild
and

dilatation
and volvulus
often
can
ciated
with
postprandial
exercise
lius and Wingfield,
1975;
Morgan,

ordinating
recovery
thony,
A. DeGange,
critically
reviewed

of each
year.
Nutritional

con-

be pnedisposing
human
activity

Beaufort

1986),
disruption
mal activities
will

taken

to volvulus

suggest
that
to GDV,

havional
patterns
may
tons.
As the
level
of
creases

warm
would

of any

contributed

peculiarities

mates.
indicated
period.

Water

deprived

This incident
may
lan bears
are susceptible

of the

may
lose
by April

thirst.

long

males
be-

seeking

this bear
an extended

for

seals
are easiest
to capture.
The
main
activities
of polar
bears
during
this period
are hunting
and
nesting
(Stirling,
1974).
Conversely,
winter
is a difficult
time
for
polar
bears.
Our
data
from
the Beaufort
beans
weights

on
of

a stomach

tents
may
this bean.

for

1986).
Our
bears
on the

wide
variety
of foods
eaten
and
because
of their
gluttonous
eating
habits
(Wallach,
1978).
Wild
polar
beans
may
be panticu-

they

603

W.

and
Lentfer

Washing-

39-56.
ANDJ.

W.

LENTFER.

1986.

Past

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1989

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1975

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C.

polar

bear

predator

Jonkel

Missoula,

R.

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L.,

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