Polar bear mom and cub, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

© Design Pics/plainpictur

A mother's warmth in the cold. Polar Bear Week

Polar Bear Week champions the Arctic's majestic predator, one of nature's greatest hunters. Established by Polar Bears International, it highlights the challenges they face due to climate change, particularly the rapid loss of Arctic Sea ice. At this time of year, polar bears gather in Churchill, Canada—known as the 'polar bear capital of the world.' Here, bears wait for Hudson Bay to freeze so they can start hunting for seals, their primary food source.

Despite their huge size, these marine mammals are remarkably good swimmers, often covering more than 90 miles at a time. With their thick fur and a generous layer of fat, polar bears perfectly adapt to cold environments. Yet they now navigate a fragile line between survival and decline. As the ice melts, their hunting grounds disappear. Polar Bear Week aims to make sure these noble giants of the North have a secure future.