Canada is home to a large portion of the world’s polar bear population. These marine mammals are iconic symbols of the Arctic, integral to northern ecosystems.
Canadian Polar Bear Habitats
Polar bears in Canada inhabit vast ice-covered regions from the Yukon and Beaufort Sea to Newfoundland and Labrador. They also range south to James Bay in Ontario, marking the world’s southernmost polar bear population. Their distribution is linked to sea ice, fundamental to their survival.
These habitats feature ice floes, frozen coastlines, and open water leads. Polar bears use sea ice to hunt seals. In areas where sea ice melts during summer, such as Hudson Bay, bears move ashore, relying on stored fat reserves until the ice reforms.
Population Status and Threats
Canada is home to approximately 16,000 to 17,000 polar bears, representing about two-thirds of the estimated global population, which ranges from 22,000 to 31,000 individuals. These bears are organized into 13 distinct subpopulations across four provinces and three territories, with some shared with Greenland and the United States. Within Canada, the polar bear is listed as a species of “Special Concern” under the federal Species at Risk Act, a designation acknowledging biological characteristics and identified threats. Globally, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies polar bears as “Vulnerable.”
The most substantial threat to polar bear populations is climate change, particularly its impact on the extent and thickness of sea ice. Reduced sea ice diminishes their primary hunting grounds, leading to decreased access to prey and increasing the risk of malnutrition. Other factors contributing to the challenges faced by polar bears include industrial development, such as oil and gas exploration, marine shipping, and human-polar bear conflict as bears are forced onto land more frequently. Persistent organic pollutants also pose a concern, accumulating in the bears’ fatty tissues and potentially affecting their health.
Survival in the Arctic
Polar bears have adaptations to survive in the Arctic environment. A thick layer of blubber, reaching up to 11.4 centimeters, provides significant insulation against frigid temperatures and serves as an energy reserve during periods of food scarcity. This blubber is particularly important when their fur becomes wet, as it maintains body warmth.
Their dense fur consists of two layers: a thick undercoat for trapping warmth and an outer layer of transparent, hollow guard hairs that appear white and scatter light, providing camouflage. These hairs are also water-resistant, allowing bears to shake off water after swimming. Large paws, measuring up to 30 centimeters across, help distribute their weight on thin ice and function as paddles for efficient swimming. The undersides of their paws feature small, soft bumps and fur between the toes, offering enhanced traction on slippery surfaces.