Polar bears

Representatives of the Governments of Canada, Denmark, Norway, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America took part in the Conference. A representative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) was also present. The Conference had its origins in a proposal made by representatives of the USSR at a meeting of the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group held in Morges, Switzerland, in February 1972. A draft of an Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears prepared by IUCN was sent to the five Governments for consideration.

These 15th Proceedings provide an overview of the ongoing research and management activities on polar bears in the circumpolar Arctic. Together with the previous 14 proceedings, they provide an historic record of the international effort in protecting, studying, and managing polar bears. The document addresses more recent concerns of threats arising as a consequence of increased human activities in both the Arctic and in regions far beyond the Arctic.

These proceedings provide an overview of the ongoing research and management activities on polar bears in the circumpolar arctic. Together with the previous 13 proceedings, they provide an historic record of international efforts in protecting, studying and managing polar bears.

These proceedings provide an overview of the ongoing research and management activities on polar bears in the circumpolar arctic. Together with the previous 12 proceedings, they provide an historic record of international efforts in protecting polar bears from over-harvest and document more recent concerns of threats arising from increased human activities in both the Arctic and in regions far beyond the realm of polar bears. More proactive management is needed to address limitations in the knowledge of population dynamics.

These 12th proceedings provide an overview of the ongoing research and management activities on polar bears on the circumpolar Arctic. Together with the previous proceedings, they provide an historic record of the international effort in protecting polar bears from over-harvest, and document more recent concerns of threats arising as a consequence of increased human activities in both the Arctic and in regions far beyond the realm of polar bears. Research and management issues pertaining to polar bears are becoming increasingly more complex.

The eight species of bear live in more than 65 countries or autonomous regions in four continents, in a variety of habitats from tropical rainforests to arctic ice. Numerous human cultures around the world symbolically or physically try to incorporate the power of bears into their people. But all species have declined in numbers due to the impacts of human activities, including: habitat alteration and destruction; unregulated killing of bears for sport; sale of parts for medicinal products; and protection of crops or livestock.