It is difficult to find discussion on this very specific detail, but I did find a page where in 2005 there was a poll to upgrade bear form models. Some people discussed how they were tired of the polar bear smile. Other posts suggested only barbarians changed to polar bears and other races were consistent with Raden's post.
On my cell, so can't bother with pasting the comments.
http://crucible.samanna.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=277
Several comments are also found here in 2004.
http://www.elitegamerslounge.com/hom...?f=175&t=68032