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
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
145
145
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
144.2
144.2
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
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
54
54
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
66.8
66.8
Most Recent Population Estimate:
2015
2015
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 (2020-2021):
111
111
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
109.8
109.8
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
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
68
68
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
65.8
65.8
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
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
6
6
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
7.6
7.6
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
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
56
56
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
70.8
70.8
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
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
9
9
Historical 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
Historic Annual Removal (2020-2021):
16
16
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
31.6
31.6
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1291
1291
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Stable
Likely Stable
IK Assessment:
Stable
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2006
2006
Norwegian Bay
Nunavut
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
0
0
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
0.8
0.8
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 (2020-2021):
12
12
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
18.6
18.6
Most Recent Population Estimate:
1215
1215
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
Likely Declined
IK Assessment:
Stable
Stable
Year of Estimate:
2006
2006
Southern Hudson Bay
Nunavut, Ontario, Québec
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
55
55
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
37.8
37.8
Most Recent Population Estimate:
780
780
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
Likely Declined
IK Assessment:
Stable/Increased
Stable/Increased
Year of Estimate:
2016
2016
Viscount Melville Sound
Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
3
3
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
2
2
Most Recent Population Estimate:
161
161
Recent Trend (scientific):
Uncertain
Uncertain
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Estimate:
1992
1992
Western Hudson Bay
Manitoba, Nunavut
Annual Removal (2020-2021):
40
40
Historical Annual Removal (5 yr mean):
30.8
30.8
Most Recent Population Estimate:
842
842
Recent Trend (scientific):
Likely Declined
Likely Declined
IK Assessment:
Increased
Increased
Year of Estimate:
2016
2016