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Polar Bear

( Ursus maritimus )

The polar bear is the world’s largest landliving predator. A large male can easily weigh over 500 kg and reach 3 meters in height when standing on its hind legs. Females are about half the size of males. Polar bears almost exclusively eat seals, which they hunt from the sea ice. As temperatures rise, the sea ice disappears, and the ice-free period during summer is getting longer and longer. This makes polar bears highly affected by climate change

The residents

At Scandinavian Wildlife Park, you’ll find one of the largest groups of polar bears in captivity in the world. There are a total of 8 polar bears living in the Polar Bear Park – 4 males and 4 females.

In our large polar bear facility, we have the ability to divide the 8 polar bears into different groups, and right now they are spread out across 3 of the 4 enclosures.

In one of the enclosures, you’ll find our 4 massive males, who together weigh approximately 2 tons. These are usually the ones seen during the daily feedings. The second group consists of 3 of our females – Nuno and her two large cubs – and they live in another enclosure where guests can get very close. Our last female polar bear lives in the winter enclosure, which is not visible to our guests.

Habitat

The polar bear lives far to the north, within the Arctic Circle, and is closely tied to sea ice. Although it is known as the world’s largest land-based predator, it spends most of its life at sea, using the ice as a platform for hunting seals. Polar bears prefer areas with so-called seasonal ice – sea ice that melts in the summer and freezes again in winter – as these regions often have the richest food sources.

When seawater freezes, the salt is pushed out, forming tiny channels within the ice. Microscopic algae grow in these channels, forming the base of the entire Arctic food web. That’s why this type of sea ice is also where the largest numbers of seals are found, which is the polar bear’s most important prey.

In summer, when the ice melts, many polar bears are forced inland to the tundra. Here, they often fast for long periods while waiting for the ice to return. Pregnant females seek out coastal areas in late summer with deep snow or large piles of seaweed, where they dig dens to give birth and care for their cubs throughout the winter.
Because the polar bear is so dependent on sea ice, it is especially vulnerable to climate change. As temperatures rise, the ice melts earlier and more extensively, leaving polar bears with fewer hunting grounds and reduced access to food.

Distribution

Distribution

The polar bear is distributed throughout the Arctic region, where it lives along coastlines and on sea ice in five countries: Canada, Greenland, Norway (Svalbard), Russia, and the USA (Alaska). Within this range, polar bears are divided into 19 recognized populations that are geographically separated but often have overlapping habitats. The largest populations are found in the Canadian Arctic, around Svalbard, and in northern Alaska and Russia.

These populations are continuously monitored by international research groups, and their status varies from region to region. Some populations are considered stable, while others are believed to be in decline due to climate change.

The polar bear is classified as “Vulnerable” (VU) on the IUCN Red List, which means the species is at risk of becoming endangered if current trends continue.

Classification: Mammals

Order: Carnivora

Family: Bears (Ursidae). There are 8 species of bears in the world.

Distribution: Arctic Circle

Habitat: Tundra, ice and water

Lifespan: In the wild 15-25 years. In captivity up to 40 years.

Sexual maturity: Male: 6-10 years; Female: 4-6 years

Oestrus: March to May

Gestation: 7-9 months (extended gestation)

Number of offspring: 1-3, usually 2 every 2-3 years

Diet: Carnivorous; mainly seals.

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