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The polar bear, surely the most widely-recognized symbol of the Arctic, has earned man's respect as far back as written or oral history goes. Beautiful, powerful and very intelligent, they have been able to survive in a land where finding each meal
is a challenge and the intense cold can even make steel brittle.
The polar bear's Latin name is Ursus maritimus, which means "sea bear", a very appropriate name for an animal which is almost as much at home in the water as on land. Polar bears have been seen swimming as much as 60 miles from land or ice.
Polar bears are so closely related to brown bears that they can cross-breed and produce fertile offspring. It is thought that brown bears gradually migrated north about 100,000 years ago, developing the many adaptations that allowed them to
survive further and further north.
Population estimates of polar bears, because of both the bears' habitat and their highly-mobile lifestyles, vary widely. The World Conservation Union's Polar Bear Specialist Group estimated in 1997 that the world popuation is between 22,000 and 27,000.
About 60% of the world's population lives in Canada, but their range is circumpolar. Rather than being evenly distributed around the Arctic, they live in 19 fairly distinct regions, 14 of which are in, or are shared by Canada. A list of the regions and their populations is posted
here.
Churchill, Manitoba, located on the shore of Hudson Bay, is world-famous for the high concentration of polar bears in the area. Most of the photos seen here and
elsewhere on the Net were taken near Churchill, where several companies offer tours in "tundra buggies".
Polar bears have only one enemy - man. As well as the obvious danger from hunters, the bears are theatened by pollution that drifts north from the populated regions of the world. The polar bears in eastern Greenland and on Svalbard, off the northern
coast of Norway, are the most endangered bears in the Arctic. This is due to the fact that their main prey, seals, are contaminated with POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants). When the seals are eaten, the POPs are absorbed by the bears, and their reproductive ability
is being affected as a result.
In the Russian Arctic, polar bears are listed in the Red Data Book of threatened species. Although hunting is prohibited, trapping of a limted number of cubs for zoos and circuses is legal, and poaching is a huge problem. Studies on the effects of pollution, including radioactive pollution, has been undertaken recently.
In the links below, you will find an enormous amount of information on polar bears, efforts to protect them, and well over 100 photos of bears in both the wild and zoos.
Polar Bear Links
Agreement on Conservation of Polar Bears
The complete text of the pact signed in 1973 by Canada, Denmark Norway, the USSR, and the United States.
Bear Claws and More...
Skulls Unlimited sells real and replica animal claws, teeth, skulls and baculum - very well-illustrated site.
Churchill - Polar Bear Capital
Based on his own trip, Steve Hutchens has assembled some excellent information for planning your own visit.
Fresh Tracks
Tours (starting in Winnipeg) to see the bears at Churchill.
Hogle Zoo
This Utah zoo has a couple of good photos of their bears, and some details about polar bears generally.
Inquiry After Polar Bears Shot
Sometimes, all the planning in the world doesn't help.
Pengies and Polar Bears
Several graphics of penguins and 2 of polar bears.
Polar Bear
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game provides an excellent introduction to polar bears and their lives.
Polar Bears
From Sea World, an extremely good guide to polar bears' habitat and lifestyles.
Polar Bear
An introduction from the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Polar Bears
An excellent resource, with detailed information, games and photos.
Polar Bear Alley
Churchill resident Kelsey Eliasson writes about polar bears and whales, his polar bear book, bear tours, research and anything else that comes up.
Polar Bears International
This non-profit organization is dedicated to the worldwide protection of the polar bear and its arctic habitat - the site has facts, photos, recommended tours and more.
The Polar Bears of Churchill
This NATURE episode follows Ewan McGregor as he investigates the bears and the people who come to see them.
Polar Bear Photos
Jürgen Schiersmann has several albums of exceptional Arctic nature photography, including many polar bears.
Polar Bear Photos
Eight large photos from the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Polar Bear Photos
Several excellent photos, including 3 amazing ones of a husky playing with a polar bear.
Polar Bear Photos
Over 20 superb photos of bears at Churchill, by Norbert Rosing.
Polar Bear Photos
Nine photos from Roger L. Johnson.
Polar Bear Taxidermy
A beautifully-illustrated trophy catalog from a taxidermist in Yellowknife shows their grizzly, black bear and polar bears.
Safety in Polar Bear Country
From Nunavut Tourism, an excellent look at bear-human interactions, from predatory bears to camping concerns.
San Diego Zoo
Lots of information about polar bears, and a live webcam so you can watch the bears.
Toledo Zoo - Polar Bear Webcam
Watch the bears live.
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Polar bear tours at Churchill.
White Bear Editions
Photographer Ken White has a large selection of his polar bear images available as prints.
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Arctic & Northern Animals & Birds Links
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, and are used here with permission
