The Irish are well known for their many exports - but a new member can be added to the list: polar bears.
Scientists have discovered the Arctic creatures can trace their family tree back to Ireland, with genetic evidence showing that the furry white giants are descended from Irish brown bears that lived during the last ice age, more than 11.000 years ago.
Modern polar bears share a distinct DNA sequence, passed down the female line, with their now-extinct brown Irish ancestors. However, the same DNA fingerprint is absent from other species of brown bear alive today.
It is thought the link arose from interbreeding between prehistoric polar bears and female brown bears when their paths crossed as the Irish climate cooled.
Polar bears, the world's largest land carnivores, are expert swimmers that prey on seals, while forest-living brown bears climb and have a varied omnivorous diet. Yet the two appear to mate successfully whenever they come into contact.
