Articles

Here, you’ll find the latest news on polar bears, climate warming, the latest research, and more.

An adult male polar bear swims by small floes, checking for seals that have hauled up to rest.
Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a polar bear stay underwater?

Polar bears are strong swimmers and are known to dive underwater as part of a strategy to sneak up and try to catch seals when they are hauled out on an ice floe. A new video shows they can stay underwater much longer than previously thought

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Article | 4 min | Jun 2, 2015

A polar bear and her 1 coy snack on kelp on the shores of Hudson Bay - Dan Cox
Our Impact

Land-based Foods Not the Answer for Polar Bears

Polar bears forced on land during summer sea ice melt snack on terrestrial foods, but they are inadequate for bears' long-term nutritional needs

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Article | 2 min | Apr 1, 2015

Aerial of Polar Bear and Tracks on the Sea Ice - Kieran McIver
Policy and Management

U.S. Polar Bear Recovery Team

The U.S. Polar Bear Recovery Team is tasked with drafting the Polar Bear Conservation Management Plan, which will address requirements of both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act

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Article | 3 min | Mar 23, 2015

Polar bear walking through a yellow-green marsh in the summer - BJ Kirschhoffer
Research

Black Flies and Polar Bears: Repairing the Cape Churchill Tower

A tower at Cape Churchill in Wapusk National Park once used to observe polar bears has been rebuilt. The tower now serves as an internet relay station and a mount for the Polar Bear Cam

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Article | 4 min | Aug 9, 2014

Wes Larson inside an artificial snow den during SAR research - BJ Kirschhoffer
Research

Crawling into a Polar Bear Den

As part of our ongoing denning studies, our team enters and measures snow dens after polar bear families have left

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Article | 2 min | Apr 8, 2014

Adult polar bear walking across broken ice
About Polar Bears

Polar Bears and the Chemical Cocktail

Polar bears carry high loads of toxic pollutants due to chemicals carried north on ocean currents, especially bears living in the Barents Sea, northeast Greenland, and the Kara Sea

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Article | 15 min | Jan 14, 2014

1 coy with paws on mother, close up
About Polar Bears

Decoding Polar Bear Vocalizations in the Den

A study of polar bear cub vocalizations shows that cubs express a range of emotions from distress to contentment

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Article | 4 min | Oct 15, 2013

Jay O with the Helmericks - year round residents of Alaska's North Slope - BJ Kirschhoffer
Research

A Visit with Arctic Homesteaders

The Helmericks live year-round on Alaska's North Slope, homesteaders in the heart of the Arctic

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Article | 7 min | May 21, 2013

Domain of the Great White Bear - Dan Cox
Research

Domain of the Great White Bear

Studying polar bear denning ecology in Alaska

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Article | 4 min | Mar 5, 2012