Spring 2026 footage from Billefjorden, Svalbard, shows a polar bear striking a juvenile bearded seal, then backing away to use the pup as bait for its mother.
Michele D'Agostino of Secret Atlas said the bear appeared to read the ice and exploit known seal behavior, suggesting a learned hunting tactic rather than a simple reflex.
When the mother stayed underwater instead of attempting a rescue, the bear returned, pinned the pup with its forepaws and dragged the carcass across the ice to feed.
The sequence was filmed from a distance with telephoto lenses after the bear had hunted for several hours, with observers following AECO wildlife-distance guidelines and local rules.