In springtime, a mother polar bear emerges from her den with her newborn cub or cubs. She and her cubs will stay at their den for a few days or weeks, giving the cubs a chance to play, explore, and strengthen their legs. Once polar bear cubs are big enough, she and her cubs will head out onto the sea ice. A mother polar bear will begin teaching her young cubs not only how to hunt, but how to simply survive in the Arctic. #polarbear #polarbears #polarbearsinternational #wildlifeplanet #wildlifeaddicts #babyanimals #wildlifeconservation

1156

16

3 days ago

Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (@nsidcnews) shared the news that Arctic sea ice likely reached its maximum extent for the year on March 22, and that the 2025 maximum sea ice extent is the lowest in the 47-year satellite record. “This new record low is yet another indicator of how Arctic sea ice has fundamentally changed from earlier decades,” said NSIDC senior research scientist Walt Meier. “But even more importantly than the record low is that this year adds yet another data point to the continuing long-term loss of Arctic sea ice in all seasons.” Polar Bears International's Senior Director of Research and Policy, Geoff York, adds, “While sea ice extent and thickness still vary regionally each year, with some areas having better or worse ice in a given year, this finding clearly shows the overall trend continues to accelerate downward. Less sea ice extent and lower sea ice quality negatively impacts ice dependent animals like polar bears and ringed seals while fundamentally altering the broader sea ice ecosystem. Each new data point and each new study only further highlight what we have now long known—rising global temperatures are resulting in dramatic sea ice loss that will not only forever change the Arctic as we know it, but also alter significant weather patterns where we all live and work—and generally not for the better. NSIDC scientists stress that the Arctic sea ice extent number is preliminary—weather conditions could change the annual maximum ice extent. NSIDC will issue a full analysis in early April. Read their press release in the link in our bio ⬆ 📷: © Kt Miller / polarbearsinternational.org; Jenny Wong / @jdubcaptures (2); Tim Auer / polarbearsinternational.org; NSIDC / NASA Earth Observatory (2) #polarbear #polarbears #SaveOurSeaIce #seaice #arcticseaice #climateactionnow

885

19

2 days ago

The Arctic is changing very quickly, and no one has more at stake in the decisions being made at this moment than the generation who is set to inherit their impacts. The first Arctic Youth Conference—held in Tromsø, Norway in January of 2025—brought together young leaders from across the Arctic to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in their home communities. Polar Bears International was honored to support the attendance of a young leader from Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, @wyattdaley. We caught up with Wyatt after he returned home to hear about his experience. Read his reflections in our link in bio ⬆ #ArcticYouthConference #youthleaders #youthleadership

404

4

6 days ago

Are female polar bears homebodies or wanderers? Do adult females stay close to their mother's home range? This study sheds new light on individual bears' space use and familial relationships. Learn more in our link in bio ⬆ 📷: © BJ Kirschhoffer / polarbearsinternational.org #polarbear #polarbears #research #wildliferesearch #stem #SaveOurSeaIce

1168

10

7 days ago

Hey teachers and educators—looking for some fun curriculum this spring? Our Mom & Me unit will teach students about the relationship between sea ice and polar bear populations and about the ways climate change impacts the sea ice ecosystem in the Arctic. Featured skills in this lesson include analyzing cause and effect relationships, developing sequenced predictions about natural phenomena, and interpreting data on a graph. Check out this unit and more in our Education Center! Link in bio ⬆ 📷: © Jean-Pierre Parenty / @jpparenty #polarbear #polarbears #teachergram #curriculum #teachertips #lessonplan #lessonplanning #lessonplans #stemeducation

921

8

8 days ago

Polar bears are universally recognized the world over. Their large body size, white fur, hooked claws, and small ears are all defining features of a predator that is highly adapted to the Arctic environment. But how did these features evolve? Learn more about what makes a polar bear a polar bear in our link in bio ⬆ 📷: © Kieran McIver / polarbearsinternational.org #polarbear #polarbears #biology #genetics #wildlifescience #wildliferesearch

1617

9

9 days ago

Happy World Glacier Day! ❄️ Today, we not only celebrate the beauty and power of glaciers but also recognize the vital role they play in our planet’s health. Glaciers, along with sea ice, are crucial for regulating the global climate. The vast, white landscapes reflect away the sun’s rays, acting as Earth’s air conditioner and preventing much of the sun’s warmth from being absorbed into northern waters. However, as the climate warms, glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, threatening the balance of ecosystems—especially for polar bears, whose survival is closely tied to the stability of sea ice. The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation as an opportunity to raise awareness about the critical role glaciers, snow, and ice play in regulating the global climate system and the hydrological cycle. By protecting glaciers and sea ice, we’re protecting the future of our planet for not only polar bears, but people everywhere. Learn more in our link in bio ⬆ 📷: © Tommy Simonsen / @tommysimonsenphotography #WorldGlacierDay #InternationalYearOfGlaciersPreservation #ClimateAction #SaveOourSeaIce #StateofClimate

1032

6

13 days ago

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Explore Svalbard, Norway with us June 25 - July 2, 2025. Witness stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, and experience the midnight sun. Learn more in our link in bio ⬆ #Svalbard #polarbearsinternational #svalbardwildlife #adventuretime #adventuretravel #travelgram #travelnorway #traveller #traveleurope

617

10

14 days ago

A serotonin boost for your Monday feed 🐻‍❄️ #polarbear #polarbears #polarbearsofinstagram #polarbearclub #wrestling #wildlifeonearth #wildlifelovers

1275

6

17 days ago