Description

Session 7. Country Research Reports

7.1 Polar bear research in Canada

Evan Richardson

The Canadian research presentation will provide an update on recent research conducted on polar bears since the last Range States Meeting of the parties, held virtually by Canada in fall 2023. The presentation reviews recent subpopulation assessment studies and work that has been conducted to understand the mechanisms driving changes in polar bear abundance and distribution. We detail how research on polar bear energetics, health, movement, behaviour, and genetics in Canada are helping inform the conservation and management of polar bears in a changing Arctic. Central to these conservation efforts is work to support knowledge sharing between communities, Indigenous organizations, provincial/territorial governments and the Government of Canada to support knowledge-based decision making for the long-term conservation of the species.