Collection: [Polar Bear]

Polar bears are the largest carnivorous land mammals on the planet. They are an apex predator and rely heavily on the arctic sea ice for hunting, traveling, mating, and maternal-dens. As a direct consequence of climate change, receding sea ice levels are putting polar bears in grave danger of becoming extinct. There are projected to be between 22,000 - 31,000 polar bears remaining in the wild. Take a moment and think about that.

But like many other elements in nature, the polar bears are resilient. Recent field studies have shown a minor uptick in polar bear populations - a likely response to increased protective measures.

There is still hope for the polar bears. 

[Where]:

They are broken up into 19 populations, based in four different sea ice regions in the Arctic.These units are spread across 5 countries: Canada, the US (Alaska), Greenland, Russia, and Norway. Canada houses nearly 60% of polar bears.

[Size, Weight, and Lifespan]:

They stand 6-9 feet tall and can weigh up to 1,300 pounds. Lifespan in the wild is between 25-30 years.

[Diet]:

Almost exclusively carnivorous. They mainly eat ringed seals and bearded seal, but they also have been known to eat walruses and whale carcasses.

[Threatened by]:

Climate Change: Sea ice platforms moving farther apart: Remaining sea ice has been pushed farther away from shore, forcing polar bears to swim increasingly long distances to get onto the ice to hunt. Even worse,the remaining ice is in deep/unproductive waters with less prey.

Food Scarcity: sea ice has been melting early and freezing later, pushing polar bears onto land and leaving a narrower hunting window during which seal pups are born.

Fewer cubs: Food scarcity has led the average bear weight to drop by 15%, resulting in mothers having fewer cube. Also, the interval between successful litters is growing.

Offshore drilling: melting sea ice has brought offshore drilling and land development to previously pristine polar bear habitat. With this kind of activity, comes potential oil spills, poisonings, and further destruction of habitat.

[Who is Helping]:

The World Wildlife Fund is tracking polar bear populations and also working to reduce conflicts between local people and polar bears. They are also working with scientists to oppose oil and gas development in the polar bear habitat.

Polar Bears International is funding and conducting critical field research like population studies, maternal den studies, and drone tracking studies.