Polar bears face accelerating threats from Arctic sea ice loss driven by climate change. Reduced hunting opportunities, longer fasting periods, and increased human conflict create growing welfare challenges for individual bears and populations.
Individual polar bears experiencing prolonged fasting endure physiological stress, muscle loss, and immunosuppression. Mothers in poor condition produce less milk and may abandon cubs. Bears increasingly entering human settlements in search of food face conflict, hazing, and sometimes lethal control. The welfare of polar bears is inseparable from the climate emergency. While rescue efforts for individual bears are valuable, systemic climate action is the only meaningful long-term welfare intervention.