Yes, polar bears are present in Ontario, primarily inhabiting the province’s northern coastlines. These majestic animals are an integral part of the subarctic ecosystem along Hudson Bay and James Bay. Their presence is a natural aspect of Ontario’s diverse wildlife, though they are found in remote, sparsely populated areas.
Where Polar Bears Reside in Ontario
Polar bears in Ontario are found along the sea ice of Hudson Bay and James Bay, extending inland up to 120 km. This sea ice is crucial for hunting seals, their primary food source. When the sea ice melts from late fall to early summer, bears are forced onto land, relying on fat reserves built during winter.
The Hudson Bay Lowlands, including Polar Bear Provincial Park, offer tundra and coastal environments for denning and summer resting. Pregnant females dig dens in raised peat mounds (palsas), gravel ridges, and river banks during fall. The area between the Winisk and Severn Rivers is significant for denning due to suitable palsas.
Understanding Ontario’s Polar Bear Population
Ontario’s polar bears belong primarily to the Southern Hudson Bay subpopulation, with a smaller number from the Western Hudson Bay subpopulation in the province’s northwest. The Southern Hudson Bay subpopulation is the world’s southernmost continuously occupied area for polar bears. These marine mammals rely heavily on sea ice for hunting, mating, and travel.
The Southern Hudson Bay subpopulation was estimated at 1,119 individuals in a 2021 survey, an increase from 780 bears in 2016. This change falls within the margin of error for both studies. While the Southern Hudson Bay population shows stability, the Western Hudson Bay population has significantly declined, roughly halving since the 1980s, with a 27% drop between 2016 and 2021.
Coexisting with Polar Bears
Living in or visiting northern Ontario’s coastal areas requires understanding polar bear behavior and safety protocols. While encounters are not common for most Ontarians, far northern communities have developed coexistence strategies. Local Indigenous communities, who have coexisted with polar bears for millennia, are knowledgeable about avoiding and managing interactions.
If a polar bear is sighted, maintain a significant distance and never approach. Reporting sightings to local authorities or conservation centers helps monitor bear movements and manage conflicts. Communities like Churchill, Manitoba, which shares a polar bear population with Ontario, implement “Bear Smart” safety measures and a “Polar Bear Alert” program. These programs emphasize deterrence, sometimes holding bears that repeatedly approach communities until they can be safely released onto sea ice.
Conservation and Future Outlook
Polar bears in Ontario are listed as a threatened species under the province’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), providing legal protection for animals and their habitats. Federally, they are a species of special concern. The primary threat to polar bears is climate change, specifically reduction of sea ice habitat. Warmer air temperatures lead to earlier spring ice break-up and later freeze-up, extending the ice-free season and directly impacting bears’ ability to hunt seals.
A longer ice-free period means less time for bears to forage, leading to reduced body condition and lower survival rates, particularly for cubs and older bears. Research indicates that if global temperatures exceed 2°C, the Southern Hudson Bay polar bear population could face extirpation as early as the 2030s. Efforts by governmental bodies, Indigenous communities, and conservation organizations in Ontario focus on monitoring populations, protecting habitat, and developing co-management strategies. Continued research and international cooperation are important for the long-term survival of these populations in a changing environment.