Alaska, Aug. 12 -- Alaska scientists say the chances of a polar bear encounter have increased after research reveals the bears are arriving on shore earlier and staying on land longer, a report said.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey found changes in sea ice habitat have coincided with evidence that polar bears' use of land is increasing, the Anchorage Daily News reported Saturday.

The polar bears come to land from the Beaufort Sea during the ice-melt season, when the sea ice breaks up in the summer and refreezes in the fall, scientists said.

The average duration of the ice-melt season has increased by 36 days since the late 1990s, researchers said.

The bears are arriving "a little bit ahead of schedule," said Todd Atwood, a re...