THE POLAR BEAR PROGRAMME

NEWS

Bear Patrol rescues orphaned polar bear cub

Bear Patrol rescues orphaned polar bear cub

16 April 2012

Consistent approach is necessary to protect polar bear from extermination

Consistent approach is necessary to protect polar bear from extermination

22 March 2012

Female polar bears with cubs to be placed under protection of Bear Patrol

Female polar bears with cubs to be placed under protection of Bear Patrol

21 March 2012

Experts discuss conservation of polar bears

Experts discuss conservation of polar bears

25 February 2012

Alternations in Arctic ecosystems force polar bears to change feeding habits

Alternations in Arctic ecosystems force polar bears to change feeding habits

12 January 2012

World Ocean 2011 international exhibition comes to a close in Moscow

World Ocean 2011 international exhibition comes to a close in Moscow

9 December 2011

Polar bears in the modern world: Survival prospects

Polar bears in the modern world: Survival prospects

29 November 2011

Global climate change draws the polar bear closer to people

Global climate change draws the polar bear closer to people

25 November 2011

Latest Polar Bear Programme expedition comes to an end

Latest Polar Bear Programme expedition comes to an end

1 November 2011

Cape Kozhevnikov: Polar bears torment walruses

Cape Kozhevnikov: Polar bears torment walruses

28 September 2011

Researchers collect new information on polar bears

Researchers collect new information on polar bears

29 August 2011

In order to preserve the polar bear population, Russia will not use its hunting quota

In order to preserve the polar bear population, Russia will not use its hunting quota

2 August 2011

2011 Spring Track results

2011 Spring Track results

18 July 2011

Researchers from Russia, Canada and Norway hold forum to promote cooperation in the Arctic

Researchers from Russia, Canada and Norway hold forum to promote cooperation in the Arctic

15 June 2011

Researchers learn more about the life of Arctic bears

Researchers learn more about the life of Arctic bears

15 June 2011

No decline in polar bear hunter numbers

No decline in polar bear hunter numbers

1 June 2011

Russia saves Alaskan polar bears

Russia saves Alaskan polar bears

12 April 2011

Polar Bear Patrols begin working in the Russian Arctic

Polar Bear Patrols begin working in the Russian Arctic

29 March 2011

Results of the Franz Josef Land expedition

Results of the Franz Josef Land expedition

30 December 2010

Scientists keep a close eye on endangered polar bears

Scientists keep a close eye on endangered polar bears

20 December 2010

The Association of Traditional Marine Mammal Hunters of Chukotka replies to a commentary by Nikita Ovsyannikov

The Association of Traditional Marine Mammal Hunters of Chukotka replies to a commentary by Nikita Ovsyannikov

13 December 2010

Environmentalists concerned over lifting of ban on polar bear hunting

Environmentalists concerned over lifting of ban on polar bear hunting

2 December 2010

Programme tracking polar bear migration put on hold

Programme tracking polar bear migration put on hold

19 October 2010

Moscow hosts international forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue”

Moscow hosts international forum “The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue”

11 October 2010

Polar bear expedition off to a good start

Polar bear expedition off to a good start

11 October 2010

Polar bear expert responds to article by Nikita Ovsyannikov

Polar bear expert responds to article by Nikita Ovsyannikov

24 September 2010

Polar bear hunting for indigenous people: Weighing pros and cons

Polar bear hunting for indigenous people: Weighing pros and cons

11 August 2010

Vladimir Putin invites Bill Clinton “to work with polar bears”

Vladimir Putin invites Bill Clinton “to work with polar bears”

29 June 2010

Climate change to affect the polar bear population

Climate change to affect the polar bear population

25 May 2010

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin tells journalists about his trip to the Franz Josef Land archipelago

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin tells journalists about his trip to the Franz Josef Land archipelago

29 April 2010

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Alexandra Land island on the Franz Josef Land archipelago

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Alexandra Land island on the Franz Josef Land archipelago

29 April 2010

Russian Geographical Society resolved to give a grant to the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences for the implementation of its programme to study the polar bear in the Russian Arctic

Russian Geographical Society resolved to give a grant to the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences for the implementation of its programme to study the polar bear in the Russian Arctic

15 March 2010

98 photos

The polar bear is the largest land carnivore and the only species of land mammals which has completely abandoned its habitat on land and moved to drifting ice floes in the Arctic Ocean

The polar bear can weigh as much as 800 kilogrammes. The average male polar bear weighs 400 to 450 kilogrammes and the average female polar bear weighs 350 to 380 kilogrammes

Polar bears are skilful hunters and are known for their good eyesight, sharp sense of smell and keen hearing. They mainly feed on two large species of Arctic seals: ringed seals and bearded seals (sea hares)

Polar bears are typically solitary animals and do not form social groups, although hierarchy may be established when they are forced to congregate. They are generally peaceful when they are together

Female polar bears tend to congregate in specific places, almost like maternity hospitals, where they dig out dens in the snow

Cubs start leaving their dens when they are about two months old

Polar bears are typically solitary animals and do not form social groups, although hierarchy may be established when they are forced to congregate

Adult male polar bears can pose a threat to cubs

The polar bear normally ranges over dense pack ice, swims well and migrates seasonally. If there are favourable ice conditions, polar bears can reach the North Pole during such migrations

Polar bear experts with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimate that about 20,000 to 25,000 animals live in the Arctic today, but the animals’ numbers continue to decline

The ongoing decrease in the ice cover in the Arctic means the loss of the most suitable habitat for polar bears

Due to the specifics of drifting ice and the higher rate of retreating ice in the Russian part of the Arctic, polar bears there are more exposed to stress, various risks and the threat of a dramatic reduction in their numbers

The polar bear was placed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the Russian Federation’s Red List of Threatened Species. In Russia, polar bear hunting is completely prohibited

Humans have known of the existence of polar bears since the time of ancient Rome (the 1st century A.D.). The historical records of Japanese emperors offer evidence that polar bears and their skins were brought to Japan and Manchuria in the 7th century A.D.

The polar bear was placed on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species and the Russian Red List of Threatened Species. Currently, polar bear hunting in Russia is completely prohibited, whereas in the United States, Canada and Greenland it is only restricted

In 1774, British zoologist Konstantin Phipps was the first to describe the polar bear as a separate species

The indigenous population of the Arctic has been hunting these animals for as long as anyone can remember. However, as humans have become more active in the North, polar bear numbers have declined and polar bear hunting is now prohibited with few exceptions

In 1973, Arctic countries signed the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears and Their Habitat ; since being ratified and coming into effect in 1976, this agreement has served as an international legal foundation for protecting, researching and managing this species

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) puts the number of polar bears in the world at 20,000 to 25,000. However, already by 2050 the polar bear population may be diminished by two-thirds

The oldest written source found in Northern Europe containing information about polar bears dates back to approximately 880 A.D.: at that time two polar bear cubs were brought from Norway to Iceland

Since 1976, polar bear hunting has been completely prohibited, except subsistence hunting which is traditionally important for the indigenous population of the Arctic

The declining numbers of polar bears may be largely ascribed to poaching, global warming and environmental pollution in the Arctic

The Polar Bear Programme aims to study the polar bear habitat in the Russian Arctic

At present, the most serious threats that face polar bears are industrial development in the Arctic, such as shipping and oil drilling, habitat pollution and destruction, and poaching

It took researchers who were working continuously under harsh weather conditions almost a month to catch and immobilise four male polar bears. Two polar bears were fitted with satellite-tracked collars

The researchers rely on signals transmitted by the collar that is still attached to the animal for charting migration routes. Taking into account ice drifts in this area, the animal could travel at a speed of about 10 kilometres a day

Researchers around the world usually place satellite-tracked collars on female polar bears as the shape of their heads and necks allows the animals to wear the collars for a long time

During the expedition the researchers only encountered female polar bears accompanied by their cubs, and catching them would have jeopardised the life of the young. For that reason, they decided to attach collars to two males instead

Aerial surveys and observations from helicopters also allowed the researchers to record the other animals inhabiting the area. All in all, the researchers counted 22 polar bears, including three females with cubs and a breeding pair

Experts in various fields took part in the expedition: zoologists, environmentalists and climatologists, specialists on marine mammals, immobilisation specialists

After the polar bears had been caught and immobilised the researchers took blood, fur and feces samples for genetic and veterinary analysis

The researchers also tried out another method of catching the polar bears by using special traps with food inside (this method is likely to be widely used in the future in warmer seasons)

The female stops growing when she reaches maturity while the male keeps growing and gaining weight throughout his life

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Umka the polar bear, winner of the 2011 Zoomister contest at the Yekaterinburg Zoo

Umka the polar bear, winner of the 2011 Zoomister contest at the Yekaterinburg Zoo

Umka the polar bear, winner of the 2011 Zoomister contest at the Yekaterinburg Zoo

Umka the polar bear, winner of the 2011 Zoomister contest at the Yekaterinburg Zoo

Umka the polar bear, winner of the 2011 Zoomister contest at the Yekaterinburg Zoo

Umka the polar bear, winner of the 2011 Zoomister contest at the Yekaterinburg Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears migrating south-west across the Franz Josef Land archipelago. The time of migration depends on the formation of sea ice around islands and in straits

Research expedition to the Franz Josef Land archipelago carried out under the Polar Bear Programme

Russian-made satellite tracking collars specially designed for polar bears

Research expedition to the Franz Josef Land archipelago carried out under the Polar Bear Programme

Polar bears migrating south-west across the Franz Josef Land archipelago. The time of migration depends on the formation of sea ice around islands and in straits

Polar bears migrating south-west across the Franz Josef Land archipelago. The time of migration depends on the formation of sea ice around islands and in straits

Polar bears migrating south-west across the Franz Josef Land archipelago. The time of migration depends on the formation of sea ice around islands and in straits

Polar bears migrating south-west across the Franz Josef Land archipelago. The time of migration depends on the formation of sea ice around islands and in straits

Research expedition to the Franz Josef Land archipelago carried out under the Polar Bear Programme

Research expedition to the Franz Josef Land archipelago carried out under the Polar Bear Programme

Research expedition to the Franz Josef Land archipelago carried out under the Polar Bear Programme

Special traps with bait inside are rarely used to catch polar bears, as they can be dangerous for females and cubs

Research expedition to the Franz Josef Land archipelago carried out under the Polar Bear Programme

Research expedition to the Franz Josef Land archipelago carried out under the Polar Bear Programme

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bears at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bear at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bear at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bear at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bear at the Moscow Zoo

Polar bear at the Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

Newborn polar bear cubs in Moscow Zoo

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