International Polar Bear Day (27/02)

Every year on February 27, the world celebrates International Polar Bear Day or, in the more familiar Russian version, Polar Bear Day. Its holding was initiated by the public organization for the conservation of polar bears Polar Bear International (PBI).

The main purpose of the Day is to disseminate information about the polar bear and attract public attention to the need to protect the largest terrestrial predator on the planet. Traditionally, various public events and educational events are prepared for this date by environmental and environmental organizations.

Scientists estimate that there are from 22 thousand to 31 thousand polar bears in the world (data for 2023). The world's leading polar bear researchers have published data that out of 19 polar bear subpopulations, — has decreased, three remain stable, and one has increased. Data on the remaining seven subpopulations are still difficult to collect.

Among the existing threats to the polar bear population — is the problem of melting polar ice as a result of global warming. This can lead to a significant decline in the population.

Another problem is the development of oil fields with subsequent environmental pollution.

Data obtained in recent years indicate that the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) entered the path of evolution approximately five million years ago. His ancestor was a brown bear. But, unlike its brown relative living on earth, the polar bear has excellently adapted to life in the Far North, among sea ice.

Interestingly, polar bears are very comfortable at ambient temperatures of minus 45 degrees and below (Photo: outdoorsman, licensed from Shutterstock.com)

First of all, International Polar Bear Day is significant for five countries inhabited by polar bear populations, — Russia, Norway, Canada, Greenland and the United States of America (Alaska). The polar bear is listed in the International Red Book and the Red Book of Russia. Slow reproduction and high mortality of young animals make this animal easily vulnerable.

The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources conducts activities aimed at preserving polar bears within the framework of the federal project «Preservation of biological diversity and development of ecotourism», which is part of the national project «Ecology».

It is important to remember that polar bears can only be found in the Arctic latitudes, near the North Pole. Polar bears do not live in Antarctica, near the South Pole.

Slow reproduction and high mortality of young animals make this animal easily vulnerable (Photo: Zhiltsov Alexander, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

Interestingly, polar bears are very comfortable at ambient temperatures of minus 45 degrees and below. Heat is retained thanks to two layers of fur and a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. In addition, due to the small size of the ears and tail, heat loss is also prevented. You could even say that polar bears suffer more from overheating of the body, especially when running for prey. After all, they usually hunt on sea ice, through which they travel thousands of kilometers in search of the main prey of — seals.

Typically, polar bear adults weigh between 350 and 550 kilograms, but there are individuals weighing more than 550 kilograms. The largest male polar bear recorded in the history of observing these animals weighed one ton. Females weigh between 150 and 300 kilograms on average.

Typically, female polar bears give birth to two cubs, but it happens that the living conditions of the bear contribute to the birth of three bear cubs or vice versa — only one bear cub. The young stay with their mother until the age of two and a half, learning to hunt and acquiring survival skills in the harsh Arctic environment.



• Infographics — poster «February 27 — Polar Bear Day»

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