Coexistence Research

Bear near building in Churchill - Coexistence - Daniel J. Cox
A polar bear cub near a wooden structure.
Photo: Daniel J. Cox / Natural Exposures

Learn about the research we are doing to help polar bears and people live safely with each other.

In the Arctic, conflict between polar bears and people is on the rise and expected to increase as sea ice habitat shrinks. In regions with large summer sea ice loss, polar bears are becoming more frequent visitors to land and staying for longer periods of time. At the same time, human activity is increasing in the region.

Without careful planning and management, tragic outcomes are inevitable, for both polar bears and people.

Polar Bears International is working on a number of fronts to stay ahead of the curve. With the help of a range of partners, including Arctic communities, we are researching ways to reduce polar bear-human encounters and greatly minimize negative outcomes.

Coexistence Projects

Bear-dar installed on a building rooftop in Eureka, Nunavut, Canada, with the water in the background

Bear-dar: Early Detection Radar

Polar Bears International is collaborating with Spotter Global to create an early alert radar system that alerts communities and remote camps when a bear is approaching.

Kyle Garrett of Brigham Young University flying a drone.

Polar Bear Deterrents

What are the best ways to keep people and polar bears safe when their paths cross?

Polar bear Walking on Road Near Town of Churchill (Coexistence) - Daniel J. Cox

Polar Bear Safety

Being bear aware in polar bear country will help keep both polar bears and people safe. 

Polar bear and 2 coys huddled near a fence and oil drum in Churchill, Manitoba.

Waste Management

Properly managing waste can help reduce the smells and promise of food that attract polar bears into communities.

Indigenous Knowledge in Churchill Research Participants (Kt's Study) - Horizontal Hero - Kt Miller

Indigenous Knowledge in Churchill

A storywork research project explores the distant past, past, present, and future visions of human-polar bear coexistence with Swampy Cree, Sayisi Dene, Métis, and Caribou Inuit Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Close-up of Polar Bear Walking from above

Safe and Responsible Polar Bear Tourism

We're working to ensure that polar bears aren’t disturbed in a biologically meaningful way and that people and bears remain safe.

Male polar bear with long foreleg guard hairs walking on ice.

Polar Bear Attacks and Causes

Understanding the causes of polar bear attacks on people is critical to ensuring both human safety and polar bear conservation.

Polar bear tracks near the village of Barrow, Alaska.

Iñupiaq Knowledge of Polar Bears

A map-based, story-telling approach integrating Iñupiaq and conventional scientific knowledge about changes to polar bears and their habitat.

News

Polar bear sniffs the air outside of the Churchill landfill during fall
Human-Polar Bear Coexistence

Garbage and Polar Bears: A Better Solution?

Turning a polar bear attractant into a resource — Arctic communities in Greenland are part of a national network that converts waste into heat and electricity.

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Article | 4 min | Sep 2, 2026

Bear-dar screenshot, Eureka
Human-Polar Bear Coexistence

Bear-dar Prevents a Surprise Encounter with Polar Bears

An innovative AI radar system has successfully prevented an encounter between people and polar bears for the first time.

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Article | 2 min | Jun 11, 2026

Mother bear and 2 cubs looking left on a white background
Our Impact

What We Accomplished for Polar Bears in 2025

Over the past year, we have made significant progress together on behalf of the world’s polar bears. Here are our Top 10 accomplishments from the past year, all made possible by your support and generosity

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Article | 5 min | Dec 28, 2025