The revolution in tiny tough video cameras has opened new worlds to the human eye, but this GoPro video by Adam Ravetch at Arctic Bear Productions has completely changed the way we see polar bears. For instance, they never once drink a Coca Cola or play country music with a penguin. Even more impressive than that was just how beautifully at home these majestic beasts are in the water.

It’s always seemed odd to me that polar bears are protected as marine mammals. Understanding that they routinely make 100-mile swims in the open ocean is very different than seeing it. These bears may be graceful in the water, but they need to find ice to survive, and we’re making that harder and harder to do.

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Hat tip: Andrew Revkin

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