IF this were not a global warming story, it would normlly be presented to amaze us with how far the polar bears can swim. 60 miles?? In an arctic rich with food for them? And this is because the ice is melting? I think not. I do not believe that a polar bear cannot find food for 60 miles of open ocean.
You are more than likely 100% correct. Polar bears also live on land. And a long swim for them is nothing. Survival of the fittest...