Alaska polar bears

Features editor Glenn BurnSilver traveled to Kaktovik on Sept. 19, 2009, to get an up-close look at Alaska's polar bears. A group of bears was feeding on the carcass of a bowhead whale caught by subsistence hunters near the North Slope village. Watch the video here.

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Polar bears feed on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

The Beaufort Sea sparkles in the sun on Sept. 19, 2009. Several polar bears are loafing on the spit in the background, lured to the area by the carcass of a bowhead whale caught by Alaska Native subsistence fishermen near Kaktovik, Alaska.

A polar bear growls as several gather to feast on the remains of a bowhead whale caught by subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept.19, 2009, photo.

A young polar bear plays with a bird carcass on the shore of Beaufort Sea near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009. Another young bear stands near as the sow rests nearby.

Polar bear is seen off Barter Island near Kaktovik, Alaska.

A polar bear walks ashore from a lagoon near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A polar bear swims in front of another group of bears near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A polar bear walks along the shore of the Beaufort Sea near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A sign offers tips on how to stay safe in polar bear territory in the North Slope village of Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

Bruce Inglanasak guides tourists on Polar Bear viewing excussions via boat to the Bernard Spit outside Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A polar bear is seen on Bernard Spit outside Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A polar bear walks along Bernard Spit near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A polar bear sniffs the wind off the Beaufort Sea near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A polar bear swims near a boat off Bernard Spit near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A polar bear feeds on the carcass of bowhead whale caught by subsistence hunters in Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

Two polar bears feed on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

Polar bears feed on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

Three polar bears feed on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

Three polar bears feed on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

Gulls surround a group of polar bears feeding on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

A polar bear looks at gulls gathered near the carcass of a bowhead whale caught by subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2009.

A group of polar bears feed on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

A polar bear feeds on the carcass of a bowhead whale that was caught by Alaska Native subsistence hunters near Kaktovik, Alaska, in this Sept. 19, 2009, photo.

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