Unfortunately, for the past two years this fieldwork has been deep-sixed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prevented researchers from venturing into northern communities. “It’s been pretty grim,” admits Dr. Derocher. “Not only have my students been denied a chance to gain an intuitive sense of the environment that the bears inhabit, but they are also missing out on conferences where they would have a chance to present their work, meet experts and network with other biologists. That’s a huge, huge loss.”