Happy international Polar Bear Day!
Today is international Polar Bear day! Here are some key facts about this amazing species:
- Polar bears are the largest bear in the world
- An adult male can weigh between 350-600 kilograms and adult females can weigh between 150-290 kilograms
- They inhabit the Arctic ocean and surrounding coastal areas (Greenland, Canada, Russia, Norway and the United States)
- They rely heavily on sea ice as they use it for rest, hunting, traveling, mating and in some cases for dens for their cubs
- Their large paws work as natural snowshoes enabling them to navigate ice and snowy terrain
- They have a water repellent coat and a thick layer of body fat, both of which protect them from the cold
- Polar bears use their sharp teeth and claws to hunt and kill seals
- They are brilliant swimmers and can maintain a pace of six miles per hour using only their front paws
- Polar bears can travel more than 3,000 kilometres per month
Polar bears are facing significant threats, primarily from the current climate crisis and they are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. In the Arctic, approximately 71,000 km2 of sea ice is lost each summer and 31,000km2 is lost each winter. This leads to 13% total sea ice coverage decline per decade. The decline in sea ice affects every aspect of their survival, from hunting to reproduction. The lack of sea ice forces Polar Bears to spend more time on land and changes how they hunt and survive. This increase in time spent on land brings new risks such as the exposure to new diseases, exposure to toxins and chemicals from industrial infrastructure and of course, the risk of close contact to humans (which is dangerous for both people and Polar Bears).
Polar Bears International are a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation and protection of Polar Bears and the sea ice they rely on. They conduct vital scientific research on Polar Bear behaviour, denning habits, tracking their movements and monitoring populations. They also conduct research and data on sea ice to better understand the impacts of climate change. As well as this they do crucial work in education and outreach, helping to promote co-existence between Polar Bears and humans, and helping to reduce the risk of human -animal conflict.
So today let’s celebrate the amazing work that Polar Bears International and other conservation organisations like them are doing to protect, conserve and defend these incredible animals, and today we remember that there is still a long way to go in the fight to protect them and the sea ice they so desperately need to survive.
Read their article, ‘What we accomplished for Polar Bears in 2025’ to see more about the incredible work and progress they have made in research, education and conservation of the Polar Bear.
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