FactSentinel

The claim that polar bears are thriving with increasing populations misrepresents the current scientific data. While some subpopulations have remained stable or shown temporary increases, the overall trend for polar bears is concerning. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), polar bears are classified as "vulnerable" to extinction, with climate change posing the primary threat to their survival. Of the 19 recognized polar bear subpopulations, several are declining, and scientists project significant population decreases as Arctic sea ice continues to diminish.

The key evidence contradicting this claim centers on habitat loss. Polar bears depend on sea ice platforms to hunt seals, their primary food source. Arctic sea ice has been declining at a rate of approximately 13% per decade since satellite monitoring began in 1979. This reduction forces polar bears to spend more time on land, where they have limited access to food, leading to decreased body condition, lower reproductive rates, and reduced cub survival. Long-term studies in regions like the Southern Beaufort Sea have documented population declines of over 40% in recent decades.

This misconception often stems from selective data interpretation or outdated information. Some point to population increases since the 1960s, but those gains resulted from hunting regulations, not improved environmental conditions. Current population estimates of 22,000-31,000 polar bears do not indicate thriving conditions when considered alongside projections showing potential losses of 30% or more by mid-century if current warming trends continue.