Articles

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

A close-up of a polar bear laying on the ground with its head on its paw in fall near Churchill
About Polar Bears

The Building Blocks of Polar Bears

What makes polar bears tick?

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Article | 5 min | Jul 22, 2026

A female polar bear wears a research satellite collar. Her cub sits behind her.
Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do We Capture and Collar Polar Bears?

Good management is about knowing as much as possible in order to ensure a sustainable population.

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Article | 5 min | Jun 30, 2026

Mother polar bear with 2 coys walking on ice in dim light
About Polar Bears

The Role of Genetics in Polar Bear Conservation

A new study looks at decoding the genetic makeup of the world’s polar bears, including how genetically diverse populations are and whether the bears might be able to adapt to a warming Arctic.

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Article | 9 min | Mar 24, 2026

Polar bear stepping from one ice floe to another - BJ Kirschhoffer
Climate Warming

Study: Climate-Linked Evolution and Genetics in a Warming Arctic

New research calls for genetic management plans and ecosystem connectivity; Finds polar bears are becoming smaller and less genetically diverse as sea ice disappears

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Article | 8 min | Mar 16, 2026

Looking out from inside a maternal polar bear den dug into snow drift - Daniel J. Cox
About Polar Bears

Uncovering the secrets of polar bear dens

Learn about the history of Polar Bears International's maternal den research.

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Article | 7 min | Mar 2, 2026

Close up of a polar bears nose/snout with bottom front incisors showing - Neil Ever Osborne
About Polar Bears

Love hurts: Mating-related injuries in Western Hudson Bay polar bears

Broken canine teeth are seen in many different predatory animals, including polar bears. A recent study aimed to understand general patterns of canine breakage and scarring in Western Hudson Bay polar bears and examine injury rates over time.

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Article | 4 min | Feb 13, 2026

Mother bear with 2 coys lying next to branch
About Polar Bears

Share the Science to Protect Moms and Cubs

This International Polar Bear Day, you can help protect moms and cubs by sharing what we know about polar bear denning. When you share this science, you are supporting informed decision making and elevating the needs of denning polar bear families.

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Article | 4 min | Feb 11, 2026

Dr. Louise Archer - Headshot
About Polar Bears

Modeling a Future for Polar Bears: Dr. Louise Archer

PBI postdoctoral researcher Dr. Louise Archer discusses her work in polar bear research and shares tips for those wanting to get into the field.

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Article | 5 min | Feb 5, 2026

Polar bear standing amongst broken up sea ice chunks - Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud
About Polar Bears

Svalbard’s Polar Bears Maintaining Body Condition Despite Sea Ice Loss

A new long-term study of Svalbard’s polar bears finds that adult bears have largely maintained body condition between 1995 and 2019, despite the region’s rapid loss of sea ice.

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Article | 6 min | Jan 29, 2026

Polar bear mother walking towards the camera with a cub on each side of her - Dave Sandford
About Polar Bears

Rare polar bear cub adoption captured on video

During the annual polar bear migration near Western Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba, a wild female polar bear was filmed exhibiting a rare and surprising behaviour: the adoption of a cub that is not her own.

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Article | 3 min | Jan 2, 2026

Close up of polar bear fur
Our Impact

Reading a polar bear’s past in its fur

Scientists have long thought that polar bears grow fur once a year, in summer. But as a new study shows, polar bear fur can grow as early as February.

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Article | 5 min | Dec 19, 2025

Mother polar bear with 2 coys on her back, black and white photo.
About Polar Bears

Why are polar bear pregnancy rates declining in Western Hudson Bay?

A recent study has uncovered a striking decline in pregnancy rates for Western Hudson Bay polar bears.

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Article | 5 min | Nov 12, 2025

Mother bear looking back at 1 cub, standing on ice
Climate Warming

New Research Shows Greater Stress on Western Hudson Bay Polar Bears

New research is raising greater concern about the Western Hudson Bay (WHB) population of polar bears, which includes the Churchill area. These studies add further context to the long-term decline observed in this population

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Article | 2 min | Aug 28, 2025

Sunset In Svalbard From the Helicopter - Kieran McIver
Research

Behind the Scenes of Our Maternal Den Study 2025

What does it take to capture research-quality video of polar bears emerging from their dens? It’s not easy! Follow along with PBI’s Kieran McIver as he and the team navigate the icy landscape of Svalbard and get cameras in place for the big event

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Article | 8 min | May 14, 2025

Solar panels used in maternal den study, Svalbard, Norway
Research

Q&A: Svalbard Maternal Den Study

Our maternal den studies with partners add to our understanding of the needs of polar bear moms and cubs.

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Article | 8 min | Feb 21, 2025