Canada is home to about 16,000 polar bears, which is approximately two-thirds of the world’s total estimated population of 26,000 (95% Cl: 22,000-31,000) individuals. The global population is divided into 19 subpopulations, of which 13 are managed or co-managed by Canada. Over 90% of the polar bears in Canada occur in two of Canada’s northernmost territories: Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Subpopulation details
Baffin Bay
Greenland, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
114
114
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
140
140
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2826
2826
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Stable
Likely Stable
IK Assessment:
Stable
Stable
Year of Population Estimate:
2012-13
2012-13
Davis Strait
Greenland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Québec
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
53
53
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
60.6
60.6
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2,015
2,015
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
Likely Declined
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Population Estimate:
2017-18
2017-18
Foxe Basin
Nunavut, Québec
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
117
117
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
113.4
113.4
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2585
2585
Recent Trend (scientific):
Stable
Stable
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Population Estimate:
2009-2010
2009-2010
Gulf of Boothia
Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
66
66
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
60.6
60.6
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1525
1525
Recent Trend:
Stable
Stable
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Population Estimate:
2015-2017
2015-2017
Kane Basin
Greenland, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
7
7
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
7.0
7.0
Most Recent Population Estimate:
357
357
Recent Trend (scientific):
Increased
Increased
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Population Estimate:
2013-2014
2013-2014
Lancaster Sound
Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
62
62
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
64.3
64.3
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2541
2541
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
Uncertain
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Population Estimate:
1995-1997
1995-1997
M'Clintock Channel
Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
8
8
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
9.6
9.6
Most Recent Population Estimate:
716
716
Recent Trend (scientific):
Increased
Increased
IK Assessment:
Stable
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2014-2016
2014-2016
Northern Beaufort Sea
Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
17
17
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
23.4
23.4
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1291
1291
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
Uncertain
IK Assessment:
Stable
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2006
2006
Norwegian Bay
Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
3
3
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
1.4
1.4
Most Recent Population Estimate:
203
203
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
Uncertain
IK Assessment:
Stable
Stable
Year of Estimate:
1997
1997
Southern Beaufort Sea
Northwest Territories, Yukon, United States
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
35
35
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
21.8
21.8
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1215
1215
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
Uncertain
IK Assessment:
Stable
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2006
2006
Southern Hudson Bay
Nunavut, Ontario, Québec
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
33
33
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
40
40
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1119
1119
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Stable
Likely Stable
IK Assessment:
Stable in James Bay; likely increase in East Hudson Bay
Stable in James Bay; likely increase in East Hudson Bay
Year of Estimate:
2021
2021
Viscount Melville Sound
Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
0
0
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
1
1
Most Recent Population Estimate:
235x
235x
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
Uncertain
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Estimate:
2014
2014
Western Hudson Bay
Manitoba, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2022-2023):
37
37
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
33.8
33.8
Most Recent Population Estimate:
618
618
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
Likely Declined
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Estimate:
2021
2021