I think DHARMA used the island's "power" to send the bear else-where i.e. the far-side the the planet. This may be how Ben brought Locke's father to the island. It is all about the island's power and who controls it. Eventually, we will find out what the power is and what it is not.

The collar on the Polar bear is so they could find it and figure out where they sent it. I assume they snatched it from the ice cap (just like locke's father). Looks like some polar bears still get teleported to the island or a few got away.

on a separate note: Jack's father is (might be) alive in the future but Anna Lucia is definitly dead.

The guy visiting Hurley in the Institution is the same guy who hires the crew to go get Ben on the island. He said no-one from the Oceananic 815 lived. He is either 1. wrong 2. a lousy hinter (i.e. kill them) or 3. they are all dead? Seems like we have been told they are alive in the space time continum. I think the guy is from DHARMA and they want to get the island (and its power) back and kick Ben's ---