Canada is home to a significant majority of the world’s polar bears. Approximately two-thirds of the estimated global polar bear population of 26,000 individuals resides within Canadian territory, underscoring the nation’s responsibility for the future of the Ursus maritimus. These large marine mammals rely entirely on the seasonal sea ice that forms along the coasts and archipelagos of the northern landmass. Their presence spans numerous jurisdictions, from remote territorial islands to provincial coastlines, making the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions a primary focus for conservation and management.
Where Polar Bears Live in Canada
The polar bear’s Canadian range is vast, covering the northern reaches of four provinces and all three territories: Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec. This range is divided into 19 distinct subpopulations across the circumpolar Arctic, with 13 of these being either entirely within or shared by Canadian jurisdiction. These subpopulations are not uniform, with each facing unique environmental conditions that affect their health and numbers.
The largest concentration of the species occurs in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, which together account for over 90% of the bears found in Canada. Subpopulations such as those in the Gulf of Boothia, Lancaster Sound, and Northern Beaufort Sea inhabit remote, high-Arctic islands and marine areas. The seasonality and thickness of the sea ice directly influences the bears’ ability to hunt their primary prey, ringed and bearded seals.
The more southerly populations inhabit regions like the Western Hudson Bay and Southern Hudson Bay, known for their dramatic seasonal ice melt. The town of Churchill, Manitoba, sits on the Western Hudson Bay, making it accessible for viewing as bears gather there waiting for the ice to reform each autumn. The Yukon shares the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation with the Northwest Territories and the United States, highlighting the transboundary nature of management in the far west.
Survival in the Canadian Arctic
Polar bears are specialized marine mammals adapted to survive the extreme cold of the Arctic environment. Their survival hinges on their physical characteristics and dependence on the sea ice platform. A thick layer of fat, or blubber, can be up to 11.4 centimeters thick, providing buoyancy and insulation against the frigid water when their outer coat is wet.
Their double-layered coat of fur provides superior thermal protection, with an underlayer of dense hair and an outer layer of guard hairs that repel water. The outer hairs are transparent and hollow, which helps scatter light and gives the bear its white appearance, serving as camouflage against the snow and ice. Their large paws, which can measure up to 30 centimeters across, help distribute their weight like snowshoes, allowing them to walk across relatively thin ice.
These adaptations enable the bears to thrive in an environment where their primary source of sustenance is fat-rich seals, which they hunt from the edge of the sea ice. Polar bears are known to wait patiently near seal breathing holes in the ice, a hunting technique called still-hunting. The ability to consume high-calorie seal blubber allows them to build up the fat reserves necessary to survive the ice-free summer months when they are forced onto land.
Living Alongside Polar Bears
In northern communities, the presence of polar bears has led to the development of safety and management strategies. As climate change forces bears ashore earlier and keeps them there longer, human-bear interactions are increasing, posing risks to both people and the animals. Community-based programs focus on minimizing attractants like garbage and implementing deterrence measures to discourage bears from entering populated areas.
The town of Churchill, Manitoba, operates a renowned Polar Bear Alert Program, which includes a 24-hour patrol during the autumn migration period. When bears persistently venture too close to the town, they are often tranquilized and transported to a holding facility, colloquially known as the “Polar Bear Jail.” These bears are not fed while detained, relying on their fat reserves, and are later relocated back to the wild once the sea ice returns.
For tourists, regulated viewing opportunities allow for observation from a safe distance, often utilizing specialized tundra vehicles that minimize environmental impact. These efforts protect human life and property while also ensuring that the bears do not become habituated to human presence or food sources.
Conservation Status of Canadian Subpopulations
The loss of sea ice habitat driven by the rapidly warming Arctic climate is the primary threat to polar bears in Canada. The earlier breakup and later freeze-up of the ice reduces the time bears have to hunt seals, leading to longer periods of fasting on land. This reduced foraging time translates directly to lower body condition, which affects the ability of female bears to reproduce, resulting in lower cub survival rates. In the Western Hudson Bay subpopulation, climate-driven sea ice loss has been linked to an approximate 50% decline in numbers over four decades.
In Canada, the polar bear is listed federally as a species of Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). This designation means the species may become threatened or endangered due to a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats, requiring the development of a national management plan. This status applies to the species across the entire country, though provincial and territorial designations vary, with some jurisdictions listing the bear as Vulnerable or Threatened.
Canada’s management system relies on both western science and Inuit traditional knowledge (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or IQ). Indigenous knowledge, which includes observations on migration patterns, denning habits, and population changes over millennia, is formally incorporated into the assessment process. This integrated approach guides local management and the setting of Total Allowable Harvest quotas, which permit a sustainable subsistence hunt for Indigenous communities.