• +353 86 246 1890
  • 24hrs / 7days
  • contact@panoramicireland.com

Polar Bears Are Irish

Written by

How can Polar Bears be of Irish Ancestry?

An interesting story in the press recently deals with the threatened polar bear (Ursus Maritimus) of which there are 20,000 left in the wild. Recent studies analysing DNA from brown bear bones found in Irish caves reveal that modern polar bears have a maternal Irish ancestor. So it would appear that it isn't just the descendants of the Irish diaspora who can trace their ancestry to Ireland.

Speleologists have been largely responsible for finding bear bones in Ireland, most notably in Poll na mBear in Co. Leitrim, and yes, that does mean Cave of the Bears.

It appears from the study carried out by Daniel Bradley at Trinity College Dublin, that the crossbreeding occurred 20,000 - 50,000 years ago, much earlier than previous studies involving Alaskan brown bears indicated.

I often wonder what an excursion into the wild expanse of the Wicklow Mountains or to the Maamturks in Connemara would be like if bears were roaming wild. Imagine photographing a bear and cubs in the wild before heading off for a pint of Guinness. Or watching a bear fishing for salmon on the banks of the Liffey or Dodder outside Dublin. It would certainly give a different aspect to a photography tour or workshop in Ireland!

Alas, bears became extinct in Ireland some 3,000 years ago, possibly caused by human induced loss of habitat along with hunting.

Darren McLoughlin

Irishman and International travel photographer in search of the best bits of Ireland. Leading photography tours and experiences in Ireland.

Contributor to New York Times / Sunday Times / Irish Times / Echtra Echtra and Eonmusic

Cancer survivor.

Ask me about travel in Ireland or about photography in Ireland.

https://darrenmcloughlin.com
More in this category: « Ducks At Glendalough Daffodil Day »

Leave a comment

Contact Us
1000 characters left
Cookies make it easier for us to provide you with our services. With the usage of our services you permit us to use cookies.
Ok