Greenland is home to polar bears and is an integral part of the species’ circumpolar range, hosting multiple distinct groups. The presence of bears is closely tied to the availability of sea ice, which serves as a platform for hunting their primary prey: ringed and bearded seals. Bears are distributed across the entire coastline, though their density and movement patterns vary based on local ice conditions and geography.
Geographical Distribution and Required Habitat
Polar bear distribution is segmented into five recognized subpopulations, many shared with neighboring Canada: Kane Basin, Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, the Arctic Basin, and East Greenland. These groups are concentrated in areas where seasonal sea ice allows consistent access to seals. The West Coast, which includes the Davis Strait and Baffin Bay subpopulations, experiences transient ice conditions, meaning the bears often move long distances, frequently traveling between Greenland and the Canadian Arctic.
The East Coast, home to the East Greenland subpopulation, includes the Northeast Greenland National Park, an expansive area where ice conditions are generally more stable, providing a sustained hunting platform for much of the year. However, a recently identified group in Southeast Greenland exhibits a unique adaptation. These bears survive despite having access to traditional sea ice for only about four months annually, between February and late May.
For the rest of the year, the Southeast Greenland bears rely on freshwater ice slabs that break off from the Greenland Ice Sheet and coastal glaciers. This distinct use of “ice melanges”—a mix of sea and glacial ice—allows them to continue hunting seals in the deep fjords. These bears also navigate jagged mountains, trekking over inland ice to move between fjords.
Population Status and Conservation Efforts
Greenland’s polar bears are managed as part of several international subpopulations, with an estimated 5,500 bears belonging to the groups shared with Canada in West Greenland. The East Greenland population, which falls under Greenland’s sole jurisdiction, is a vast group that has been subject to more recent study due to its remoteness.
The most significant recent scientific finding is the recognition of the Southeast Greenland group as the world’s 20th and most genetically distinct subpopulation. This group, numbering only a few hundred individuals, has been isolated for several hundred years, leading to unique genetic markers. While their use of glacial ice offers a potential survival strategy in a warming Arctic, scientists caution that this habitat is not widespread enough to support the majority of the species.
The primary threat to all polar bears is the ongoing loss of sea ice due to climate change. As their hunting platform disappears, bears must endure longer fasting periods, negatively impacting their body condition and reproductive success. Conservation efforts are governed locally by the Greenland Government’s Act on Hunting and Game, which regulates the harvest of polar bears. The Ministry of Fisheries and Hunting sets annual quotas for subsistence harvesting based on scientific advice and local knowledge, ensuring a sustainable approach for Inuit communities.
Managing Human-Polar Bear Interactions
As sea ice diminishes, polar bears are forced to spend longer periods on land, increasing the likelihood of encounters with human settlements. This conflict is most pronounced in small, isolated communities along the coast, where bears are often drawn by the smell of human food and waste. Managing these interactions is a concern for the safety of both residents and the bears.
Local communities, such as Ittoqqortoormiit on the East Coast, have implemented proactive strategies like polar bear patrols. These patrols use vehicles to monitor the periphery of settlements, deterring bears from entering residential areas and preventing unnecessary fatal encounters. Managing attractants, particularly ensuring the secure storage or removal of waste, is a high priority to reduce the temptation for hungry bears.
If an encounter occurs, protocols emphasize non-lethal deterrence first, often involving loud noises or warning shots. The decision to lethally remove a bear is made under strict local laws, often involving local hunters acting in self-defense or under government authorization. This management framework balances the conservation needs of the species with the safety and traditional practices of the local Inuit population.