Canada's Polar Bear Subpopulations

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

Detailed Map

Baffin Bay
Greenland, Nunavut
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
145
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
144.2
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2826
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Stable
 
IK Assessment:
Stable
 
Year of Population Estimate:
2012-13
 
Davis Strait
Greenland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Québec
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
54
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
66.8
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2015
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
 
IK Assessment:
Increased
 
Year of Population Estimate:
2017-18
 
Foxe Basin
Nunavut, Québec
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
111
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
109.8
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2585
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Stable
 
IK Assessment:
Increased
 
Year of Population Estimate:
2009-2010
 
Gulf of Boothia
Nunavut
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
68
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
65.8
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1525
 
Recent Trend:
Stable
 
IK Assessment:
Increased
 
Year of Population Estimate:
2015-2017
 
Kane Basin
Greenland, Nunavut
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
6
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
7.6
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
357
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Increased
 
IK Assessment:
Increased
 
Year of Population Estimate:
2013-2014
 
Lancaster Sound
Nunavut
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
56
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
70.8
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2541
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
 
IK Assessment:
Increased
 
Year of Population Estimate:
1995-1997
 
M'Clintock Channel
Nunavut
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
9
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
9.4
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
716
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Increased
 
IK Assessment:
Stable
 
Year of Estimate:
2014-2016
 
Northern Beaufort Sea
Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
16
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
31.6
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1291
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Stable
 
IK Assessment:
Stable
 
Year of Estimate:
2006
 
Norwegian Bay
Nunavut
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
0
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
0.8
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
203
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
 
IK Assessment:
Stable
 
Year of Estimate:
1997
 
Southern Beaufort Sea
Northwest Territories, Yukon, United States
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
12
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
18.6
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1215
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
 
IK Assessment:
Stable
 
Year of Estimate:
2006
 
Southern Hudson Bay
Nunavut, Ontario, Québec
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
55
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
37.8
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
780
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
 
IK Assessment:
Stable/Increased
 
Year of Estimate:
2016
 
Viscount Melville Sound
Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
3
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
2
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
161
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
 
IK Assessment:
Increased
 
Year of Estimate:
1992
 
Western Hudson Bay
Manitoba, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
40
 
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
30.8
 
Most Recent Population Estimate:
842
 
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
 
IK Assessment:
Increased
 
Year of Estimate:
2016
 

 

For more detailed information related to each subpopulation, please view the full 2022 PBTC Status Table