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 (2023-2024):
118
118
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
133.4
133.4
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 (2023-2024):
56
56
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
59.4
59.4
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 (2023-2024):
103
103
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
110
110
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 (2023-2024):
52
52
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
63
63
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 (2023-2024):
3
3
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
6.8
6.8
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 (2023-2024):
52
52
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
63
63
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 (2023-2024):
10
10
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
9.4
9.4
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 (2023-2024):
24
24
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
21.4
21.4
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 (2023-2024):
1
1
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
1.6
1.6
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 (2023-2024):
21
21
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
20.8
20.8
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 (2023-2024):
32
32
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
38.6
38.6
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 (2023-2024):
0
0
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
0.6
0.6
Most Recent Population Estimate:
235
235
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
Uncertain
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Estimate:
2014
2014
Western Hudson Bay
Manitoba, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2023-2024):
35
35
Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
33
33
Most Recent Population Estimate:
618
618
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
Likely Declined
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Estimate:
2021
2021