Yes, bears live in Greenland, but the world’s largest island is home to only one species: the polar bear. This animal, scientifically known as Ursus maritimus, is the Arctic’s apex predator and Greenland’s only native terrestrial carnivore. The immense Greenland Ice Sheet and surrounding sea ice create a harsh environment that few large mammals can survive. In the Greenlandic language, the polar bear is called Nanoq, reflecting its deep cultural significance to the Inuit population. Its existence is intrinsically linked to the frozen marine environment and the availability of its primary prey.
Greenland’s Exclusive Bear Species
The polar bear, or Ursus maritimus, is a marine mammal adapted to the extreme cold of the Arctic. Its insulating layer of blubber can measure up to 10 centimeters thick, providing thermal protection and energy reserves. This is complemented by a dense coat of fur consisting of hollow guard hairs that appear white but are translucent, allowing for camouflage against the snow and ice. The skin underneath the fur is black, maximizing the absorption of solar radiation to aid in warming the body.
The polar bear diverged from the brown bear relatively recently, leading to physical changes for a hyper-carnivorous diet. Their teeth and skull are adapted for cutting seal meat and blubber, unlike the omnivorous grinding required by other bear species. Polar bears possess large paws with specialized pads and short, sharp, non-retractable claws that provide exceptional traction on slick ice and help secure prey. The ringed seal is their preferred food source, which they typically hunt from the platform of sea ice.
Geographic Distribution Across the Ice Sheet
The distribution of polar bears in Greenland is directly correlated with the presence and stability of sea ice, which serves as their hunting ground. The highest concentrations of bears are found along the East Coast, the far North, and within Northeast Greenland National Park. These regions provide the pack ice necessary for accessing seal populations. They are only rarely seen in the more populated areas of the Southwest and West Coast, generally south of Upernavik.
A genetically distinct subpopulation exists in Southeast Greenland, demonstrating adaptation to ice conditions. These bears survive for most of the year using glacial ice, or ice melange—a mixture of sea ice and freshwater ice breaking off marine-terminating glaciers—to hunt. Unlike most polar bears that roam widely, this isolated group is more sedentary, traversing local fjords and mountains instead of undertaking long migrations over seasonal pack ice. Their reliance on this unique glacial environment highlights the specialized nature of their existence.
Safety and Coexistence with Humans
Human interaction with polar bears requires caution due to the animal’s status as an apex predator. In areas where bears are frequently sighted, a strict protocol of vigilance and prevention is followed. Safety measures include maintaining a significant distance from any observed bear and immediately leaving the area to avoid provoking an encounter. Feeding polar bears is strictly prohibited as it conditions them to associate humans with food, increasing the risk of conflict.
When camping, proper food storage is necessary, and sleeping tents must be separated from food caches and waste disposal areas by a minimum distance of 50 meters. Travelers in high-risk zones are advised to carry deterrents, such as flare guns or a rifle (minimum caliber .30-06 loaded with soft-point ammunition) for use only in life-threatening situations. Greenland’s government regulates the handling of “problem bears”—those that repeatedly approach settlements—and manages a regulated subsistence hunting quota. Tour operators offering bear viewing must adhere to a minimum distance of 200 meters to minimize disturbance.