Polar bear

Impressively powerful predators, but they’re at risk due to climate change.

Adopt a Polar bear

Polar bear:

Around 22,000-31,000 remain

Can be found:

Arctic

Threats:

Climate change, commercial activities, human-wildlife conflict, pollution

What sound do polar bears make?

Polar bear call

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Polar bear

(Ursus maritimus)

Polar bears are the planet’s biggest land-based carnivores. However, they actually spend most of their lives in, around, or on the water – predominantly on the sea ice (their Latin name means ‘sea bear’). So, they’re at particular risk from climate change, which is melting the Arctic sea ice they depend on. Polar bears rely on sea ice habitats to hunt, live, breed, and in some cases, create maternal dens.

They mainly eat seals – using their remarkable sense of smell, they can detect their prey up to 32km away and can likely smell seals underneath compacted snow or ice from 1km away.^[1]

Adults are strong swimmers – they can swim for several hours to get from one piece of ice to another. Their thick white coat and a layer of fat keep them warm and camouflaged in their harsh Arctic environment.

Polar bears are classified as vulnerable. There are between 22,000 to 31,000 polar bears left in the wild, but climate change is making life tough for these impressive, powerful predators.

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) on ice floe. Svalbard, Norway.

Why are polar bears important?

Polar bears have a strong cultural significance for Arctic people, and beyond. They are top predators in their food web, which means they play a vital role in the balance of their ecosystem. They are also important indicators of environmental health.

The Arctic provides fish for millions of people, including here in the UK. By helping to protect the polar bear, we’re helping to make sure the Arctic food chain stays healthy, for the benefit of wildlife and people, in and beyond the Arctic.

Key facts about polar bears

What habitat does a polar bear live in?

Polar bears live in frozen environments. There are currently 20 subpopulations of polar bears in five Arctic countries - Canada, Alaska (USA), Russia, Svalbard (Norway) and Greenland (Denmark).^[2]

How many polar bears are left in the wild?

There are around 22,000-31,000 polar bears in the wild.^[3]

How big is a polar bear?

Adult polar bears are usually 1-1.5m at shoulder height and males may reach over 3m when standing on their hind legs. Polar bears' weight varies widely throughout the year with males usually weighing 350-600kg and females 150-290kg. ^[4]

What do polar bears eat?

Polar bears’ main prey are ringed seals and bearded seals. They also eat harp and hooded seals and scavenge on whale carcasses. When this is not available, they will eat small mammals, birds, eggs and vegetation.^[5]

What is the IUCN status of polar bears?

Polar bears are classified as 'vulnerable' (which is between 'near threatened' and 'endangered') on the IUCN RedList.^[6]

Where do polar bears live?

Explore the map below to see the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) range data for polar bears.^[7]

Threats and challenges

Climate change

The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average. This is causing the sea ice that polar bears depend on to hunt, rest, breed and den to melt away. Loss of sea ice also threatens the bear’s main prey, seals, which need the ice to raise their young.
Commercial activities

Oil and gas exploration and development, shipping, mining and tourism have increased in the Arctic as the region becomes more accessible, bringing different challenges. An oil spill, for example, could have devastating effects.
Human-wildlife conflict

With less sea ice, polar bears are forced to stay longer on land. This is increasingly bringing them into contact with local people in Arctic villages and towns, leading to bears and people being injured or killed in self-defence.
Pollution

Contaminants are transported to the Arctic from winds, ocean currents, and flow from rivers – here they accumulate as they move up to the food chain. Polar bears then inadvertently consume these when feeding on seals.

Find out more

How we’re helping

WWF works to protect polar bears by focusing on habitat conservation, scientific research, and supporting coexistence with Arctic communities. We are:

Safeguarding essential polar bear habitats from industrial threats like oil and gas development, while also addressing the impacts of climate change.
Advocating for networks of protected areas that connect key habitats for polar bears and their prey, and call for permanent protection of the Last Ice Area.
Advancing knowledge by developing innovative research tools, and supporting scientific and Indigenous-led monitoring initiatives.
Holding the five polar bear range states accountable through assessments like the Polar Bear Scorecard.
Promoting peaceful coexistence by supporting community-led polar bear deterrence programmes (e.g. improving food storage to reduce the risk of attracting polar bears) and facilitating knowledge-sharing through workshops and exchanges to help communities manage polar bear encounters safely.

Polar bear

Polar bear:

Can be found:

Threats: