The polar bear, Ursus maritimus, is an apex predator whose existence is deeply tied to the shifting sea ice of the Arctic. When people ask “how much are polar bears,” the question holds multiple meanings beyond simple physical size. It encompasses the animal’s biological measurements, its legal status in human commerce, and the financial commitment required for its conservation. This exploration addresses these three distinct interpretations of the polar bear’s “worth.”
Physical Dimensions and Mass
The polar bear is the largest bear species and the world’s biggest land carnivore. Adult males, or boars, typically weigh between 350 and 700 kilograms (770 to 1,540 pounds), though some individuals reach 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds). Males measure from 2.4 to 3 meters (7 feet 10 inches to 9 feet 10 inches) in length and stand between 1.1 and 1.6 meters (3 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 3 inches) tall at the shoulder.
Adult females, known as sows, are smaller, exhibiting sexual dimorphism. A sow’s weight generally falls within the range of 150 to 300 kilograms (330 to 660 pounds). A pregnant female can reach up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) before entering her maternity den.
The species’ massive size is an adaptation to the extreme cold, helping to minimize the surface area exposed to the frigid environment per unit of body mass. When cubs are born in the winter den, they are small, weighing only about 0.5 to 0.7 kilograms (1 to 1.5 pounds) and measuring roughly 30 to 35 centimeters (12 to 14 inches) long.
Monetary Value and Legality
A commercial purchase price for a polar bear is complicated by strict international regulations prohibiting private trade. The species is protected under CITES Appendix II, meaning international trade in specimens, including parts and derivatives, is tightly controlled and requires specific export and import permits.
Private ownership is illegal in most jurisdictions. Any trade value is limited to non-commercial activities, such as regulated subsistence harvesting by indigenous communities or for scientific and conservation purposes. Zoos and research institutions may receive bears through managed breeding programs or rescue operations, but these are exchanges, not sales.
The financial cost of housing a polar bear in captivity is high, reflecting the animal’s specialized needs. Facilities require custom-built, expansive enclosures, often costing millions of dollars for construction. Operational expenses include maintaining complex, chilled water filtration and cooling systems to simulate their Arctic habitat. The bear’s diet requires large quantities of high-fat food sources, such as frozen fish, in addition to specialized veterinary care.
Population Status and Conservation Costs
The total number of polar bears remaining in the wild is a key metric for their survival. The global population is estimated by the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group to be in the range of 20,000 to 26,000 individuals. This number is divided across 19 subpopulations throughout the five Arctic nations that make up their range.
The species is classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, a designation tied to the primary threat of habitat loss. The decline of sea ice, which polar bears use as a platform for hunting seals, is expected to cause population decreases of 30% or more over the next few decades. This ecological crisis necessitates a substantial financial outlay to monitor and protect the species.
Conservation funding covers extensive field research, population monitoring programs, and efforts to mitigate human-bear conflict in Arctic communities. For instance, a five-year management plan for polar bear study and management by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allocated over $35 million. This funding supports research, such as sea ice modeling and den detection mapping, required to track their response to a rapidly changing environment. Smaller, targeted grants also contribute to local projects aimed at reducing conflicts and supporting management.