The Arctic warming trend shows no sign of slowing, and its iconic inhabitants are bearing the brunt. In western Canada’s Hudson Bay region, polar bears are increasingly scarce, with ongoing population declines confirmed by a recent government assessment. Female bears and cubs are particularly affected, and mortality appears higher among younger bears.
In 2021, aerial surveys over Hudson Bay, a city often cited as the polar bear capital of the world, suggested a continued drop in numbers. The count rose from an estimated 842 bears in 2016 to the latest figure around 618. The decline appears far larger than earlier predictions, according to experts. The data underscore a striking trend that aligns with longer-term observations from researchers who have monitored this population for decades.
Experts link the shrinking population to the loss of Arctic sea ice. Since the 1980s, bear numbers in this region have fallen by roughly half. The essential ice they rely on is diminishing as warming accelerates, particularly in this portion of the planet. With less ice during the warmer months, bears lose critical hunting habitat and access to their primary prey, seals.
Polar bears depend on sea ice to hunt and travel. The ice forms during the long winters and shrinks in the summers as temperatures rise. When ice is present, bears wait near holes and crevasses to ambush seals, their preferred meal. As temperatures climb, the summer minimum sea ice is reduced, and the annual freeze is delayed. The result is extended periods without a stable platform for hunting and resting.
The Arctic is warming two to three times faster than other regions, accelerating the reduction of sea ice. This means less reliable habitat, fewer opportunities to forage, and tighter living conditions for a species that relies on a stable ice regime.
This change leads to fewer opportunities for hunting, breeding, and raising cubs. Polar bears are often cited as a visible signal of climate change because their survival is so tightly linked to the ice cover that defines their world.
Researchers note rising concerns about the reproductive dynamics in western Hudson Bay. The death toll among cubs and sows is troubling, with experts warning that the changes in the environment will continue to shape the population dynamics for years to come. The lead researcher in the study, with three decades of experience studying polar bears, highlights the need to observe how fewer young bears survive to adulthood will impact future generations.
The outlook for the future of polar bears remains uncertain and is closely tied to global and regional climate policies. If warming trends persist and sea ice continues to shrink, the ability of this population to recover will be hampered. Continuous monitoring and adaptive management will be essential to understand and address the long-term viability of these animals.
For more information on Arctic wildlife and climate interactions, researchers emphasize the importance of long-term datasets and cross-border collaboration to protect vulnerable populations and their habitats.
Contact addresses and other direct contact details were removed to maintain privacy and compliance with publication guidelines.