Polar bear status, distribution & population

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Polar Bear population status as of 2011.
© D. Vongraven and E. Richardson, 2011: Biodiversity - Status and Trends of Polar Bears [in Arctic Report Card 2011], http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/reportcard

The status of polar bear populations has been assessed at both national and international level, and 7 of 19 of the World's polar bear sub-populations are found to be declining in number, with trends in two linked to reductions in sea ice.

Biodiversity - Status and Trends of Polar Bears (2011)

Current bear populations

20-25,000
polar bears worldwide

~19
distinct sub-populations (see above map)

60-80%
of polar bears are in Canada

Status by country

Timeline of polar bear conservation

Before 1973

  • Several polar bear populations were decimated by unsustainable hunting by European, Russian and American hunters and trappers from the 1600s right through to the mid-1970's.

1973

2005

  • The polar bear was upgraded from Least Concern to Vulnerable by the the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group, based on the likelihood of a decline in the total global polar bear population of more than 30% within the next 35 to 50 years.

Today

  • Today, polar bears are among the few large carnivores that are still found in roughly their original habitat and range--and in some places, in roughly their natural numbers.
  • Although most populations have returned to healthy numbers, there are differences between the populations. Some are stable, some seem to be increasing, and some are decreasing due to various pressures. A 2011 study found that 7 of 19 populations were declining.
  • Some populations are still harvested quite heavily, and their status is uncertain.

In the future

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