health
February 28, 2026
FACTBOX: International Polar Bear Day
The polar bear is one of the Earth's largest terrestrial predators
TL;DR
- International Polar Bear Day is an initiative by Polar Bears International to protect polar bears.
- The day highlights the vulnerability of polar bears and cubs in their dens at the end of winter.
- Climate change is a major threat, reducing the Arctic ice cap which serves as the polar bear's habitat.
- Polar bears are large terrestrial predators, with males weighing 400-600 kg and females 150-300 kg.
- The species is classified as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List due to climate change, commercial activities, pollution, hunting, and poaching.
- International agreements, starting in 1973, and circumpolar action plans aim to conserve polar bear populations.
- Conservation efforts include regulating hunting, developing unified data collection systems, and planning future action plans.
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