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.
Canada's Polar Bear Subpopulations
Subpopulation details
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
136
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
146
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
2074
Recent Trend:
Likely Decline
TEK Assessment:
Stable
Year of Estimate:
1997
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
95
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
110
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
2158
Recent Trend:
Likely Increase
TEK Assessment:
Increasing
Year of Estimate:
2007
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
114
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
106
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
2580
Recent Trend:
Stable
TEK Assessment:
Increasing
Year of Estimate:
2009-2010
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
67
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
60
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
1592
Recent Trend:
Likely Stable
TEK Assessment:
Increasing
Year of Estimate:
2000
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
3
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
5
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
164
Recent Trend:
Uncertain
TEK Assessment:
Increasing
Year of Estimate:
1997
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
80
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
87
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
2541
Recent Trend:
Uncertain
TEK Assessment:
Increasing
Year of Estimate:
1995-1997
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
5
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
3
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
284
Recent Trend:
Likely Increase
TEK Assessment:
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2000
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
35
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
43
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
1291
Recent Trend:
Likely Stable
TEK Assessment:
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2006
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
1
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
2
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
203
Recent Trend:
Uncertain
TEK Assessment:
Stable
Year of Estimate:
1997
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
22
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
40
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
1215
Recent Trend:
Likely Decline
TEK Assessment:
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2006
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
43
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
59
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
943
Recent Trend:
Stable
TEK Assessment:
Stable/Increased
Year of Estimate:
2012
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
2
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
5
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
161
Recent Trend:
Likely Stable
TEK Assessment:
Increasing
Year of Estimate:
1992
Annual Removal (2014-2015):
25
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
28
Most Recent Abundance Estimate:
1030
Recent Trend:
Likely Stable
TEK Assessment:
Increasing
Year of Estimate:
2011