Wildlife

Polar Bear Welfare and Sea Ice Loss

Polar bears face nutritional stress, increased swim distances, and family disruption as Arctic sea ice declines, with welfare science tracking body condition and cub survival.

Key Facts

Around 26,000 polar bears remain in 19 subpopulations
Sea ice loss forces bears to fast for longer periods between hunting seasons
Swim distances of over 700 km have been recorded in starving females
Cub survival rates are declining in ice-stressed populations
Polar bears have a 30-year window under current climate projections

Welfare Considerations

Extended fasting causes measurable physiological stress in polar bears. Pregnant females emerge from dens in poor body condition, reducing milk quality and cub survival. Long swims exhaust both mothers and cubs, with cub drowning a documented outcome. Human settlements attract starving bears, increasing conflict and the need for lethal control. Climate action is the most direct welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Support polar bear monitoring programmes such as Polar Bears International
Advocate for rapid climate emissions reduction
Reduce your carbon footprint through diet and travel choices
Oppose offshore drilling in critical Arctic habitat