Polar bears have evolved to prey on seals; they depend on the high-fat blubber they provide. A thick layer of fat helps keep the bears warm in the Arctic & helps them survive when food is scarce. Learn more about a polar bears' diet & why a platform of sea ice is crucial for hunting: pbears.org/diet
PBI postdoctoral fellow Dr. Ruth Rivkin led the first-ever synthesis of polar bear evolutionary research, confirming that polar bears are not genetically adapting to climate change. The resulting dataset will empower wildlife managers to incorporate genetics in conservation planning. Impact of this work: Any effort to conserve polar bears begins with an in-depth understanding of their life history and needs. Foundational research is essential to that effort.
PBI’s Chief Research Scientist provided expert commentary about the impacts of proposed oil and gas activities on denning polar bears in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
We’re providing science-based feedback on recent U.S. government proposals that will affect polar bears, including four proposed regulatory changes to the U.S. Endangered Species Act and a draft plan for a new offshore oil and gas leasing program. Impact of this work: By encouraging policies that support polar bear conservation and engaging the public in advocacy, we can help sustain the future of polar bears.
We helped organize and facilitate the International Polar Bear Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, bringing together professionals and polar bear experts to share knowledge, experience and new perspectives. Our presentation on communicating about polar bears and climate change reached 74 participants from 18 countries.
We’re excited to share how you helped us make a significant impact in the first quarter of 2026. Take a look at a few highlights from our science, education, advocacy, and outreach teams in the first quarter of 2026, and read the full report here: pbears.org/4mpyFpG
Polar Bears International works at the intersection of science, conservation, and education to protect polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. Your donation funds that work directly, and we can't do it without you. Let's make an impact in the Arctic, together. pbears.org/donate
Can polar bears adapt to longer summers on land? The short answer: no.
A 2024 study from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Washington State University monitored polar bears on land during summer near the Hudson Bay to try and answer this question. Find out what they learned. pbears.org/48f6od0
A group of Sandhill Cranes seeks relief from record-breaking heat under a center-pivot irrigation sprinkler. Read the full story in this month’s 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚: 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩, plus download a FREE wallpaper & a printable April 2026 calendar: naturalexposures.cmail19.com/t/r-e-tkklld...
Do polar bears see in colour? Dr. Thea Bechshoft answers a reader's question: “What colours can polar bears see? Are they able to see the colours in the northern lights?” https://pbears.org/4df8P5o
Polar bears are universally recognized the world over. Their large body size, white fur, hooked claws, and small ears are all defining features of a predator that is highly adapted to the Arctic environment. But how did these features evolve? Learn more: pbears.org/3TVwduB
Have you watched our explore.org Northern Lights Cam? Zen out to the dancing lights from the comfort of your own home, and maybe even see some meteors. The best time to see the show is between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. ET.
Watch the cam live: pbears.org/northern-lights-cam
What do polar bears do in spring?
After the cold, dark hardship of winter, spring is feasting and mating season for polar bears. Learn more about what spring means for polar bears and how its changing in a warming Arctic. https://pbears.org/46Tjuif
@polarbearsinternational.org is working to help keep polar bears away from Churchill's landfill after the waste management facility the town built burned down in 2024. Read more in this piece by The Walrus. It features my photos of bears in less appealing conditions than we're used to.
#polarbears
When researchers first looked at polar bear pregnancy rates in Hudson Bay in the early 90s, btwn 80-100% of adult females were pregnant between '82 & '90 on avg. However, a recent study found a striking decline. We talked to study authors about what they’re seeing & why. https://pbears.org/3JAf1Zo
Another nice piece, this one by @popsci.com, about our work with @polarbearsinternational.org, that came out on International Polar Bear Day.
#polarbear #polarbears #wildlifephotography
Looking for something different on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Japan. We stopped when we saw these beautiful bull Sika deer feeding among the colorful fishing floats. Japan has a lot of deer, and they have no natural predators. It's a difficult problem.
Camera: iPhone 16 Pro
Honored to have my work from the Arctic Documentary Project featured by @petapixel.bsky.social. It was all about polar bears for International Polar Bear Day, a special day founded by my friends at @polarbearsinternational.org to celebrate mother polar bears with cubs emerging from their dens.
This still photograph of a red fox getting pestered by a raven while trying to finish the fish meal he scavenged was pulled from the OM-1's 4K video mode. Not perfect, but certainly good enough to share this amazing moment. Pretty funny to watch.
Hokkaido, Japan
OM System OM-1 Mark II & 150-400mm
In the Canada Goose store in downtown Tokyo. How fun it was to walk into the store and find this copy of Goose People, featuring my work from the Arctic Documentary Project with @polarbearsinternational.org in the 2017 book produced by Canada Goose.
#DYK that baby polar bears are only about 500g when they're born? Cubs are born in dens under the snow. Learn about polar bear denning & why this is period of a polar bear's life is one of their most vulnerable: pbears.org/48mh2PY
Footage was captured at Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien.
A polar bear with the badges for the Candid. Platinum Seal of Transparency 2026 and the Charity Navigator 4-star charity designations.
We're proud to have earned a Candid. Platinum Seal of Transparency again for 2026! We're also proud to be a 4-star charity on Charity Navigator. We've earned the highest rankings @ these trusted nonprofit rating orgs based on our strong financial health & commitment to accountability & transparency.
As I look all around me, there are full-frame cameras everywhere, very few MFT. But there seems to be hope for MFT. Do photographers really need everything that comes with full-frame, including the expense and weight, for Facebook and Instagram? I certainly don't.
bit.ly/4tFD6ju
#microfourthirds
Back on the road in Japan after a few nights in Tokyo. This image of a Steller's sea eagle was shot two weeks ago on our first photo tour. Hoping the ice has survived for this next group. It's been warm since we were last up north.
OM-1 Mark II & 150-400mm 1/200, F/8 ISO 200
#eagles #japan
Northern lights season is here! Our live cam is streaming daily from Churchill, Canada, in partnership with explore.org. The best time to see the show is between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. ET.
Watch the cam live: pbears.org/northern-lights-cam
International Polar Bear Day is less than 3 weeks away!
Join us in this special day as we celebrate moms and cubs and discuss why it's crucial to protect them. Learn more about International #PolarBearDay: pbears.org/intlpolarbearday
Synchronicity between two red-crowned cranes on their way to flight. Just two of the many hundreds we've seen and photographed during our trip to Japan.
Camera: OM-1 Mark ll
Lens: 150-400mm F/4.5
#cranes #birdphotography #Japan #wildlife
Talons Out! Steller's Sea Eagles, in battle. Hokkaido, Japan
Camera: OM-1 Mark ll
Lens: 150-400mm F/4.5
#eagle #eagles #japan #hokkaido #wildlifephotography #OMSystem
This image was from our hotel on the island of Hokkaido. Each night we had an impressive fireworks show.
Camera: OM-1 Mark ll
Lens: 12-40mm
Exposure: 23 seconds at F/11
#fireworks #Hokkaido #Japan #OMSystem
Whooper swans come in for landing in Japan.
Camera: OM-1 Mark ll
Lens: 50-200mm f/2.8
#whooperswan #whooperswans #japan #wildlife #swan #swans
Portia is ours — Bear 6. At 14, she’s spending the final months with her 2-year-old cubs, now big enough to help hunt seals and fatten up for spring. Soon she’ll wean them, and they’ll head onto the sea ice alone. She’ll then focus on herself before her next pregnancy. pbears.org/4rnQ43n
#polarbears
Recent research shows that polar bears on the sea ice show more variation in weight gain on the sea ice than previously thought, which may make them more vulnerable to loss of summer sea ice. Learn more ⬇️ https://pbears.org/42E814u
Maiko in Kyoto
Maiko in Kyoto
Maiko in Kyoto
Natural Exposures Kyoto Photography Tour
Another beautiful evening in Kyoto 🇯🇵 Traditional dinner + learning about the life of a Maiko—an apprentice geiko (“dance child”) training in dance, music, and song. She was just 18, deeply committed and happy with her path.
Full transparency: a background line between two boards was removed.
#kyoto
Tokyo
Camera store in Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Just chilling in Tokyo before our Japan Winter Wildlife Tour begins. This series is from our hotel window, looking down on the pier in Yokohama, and a couple of pics from a trip to Map and Yodobashi Camera. Hoping we have a lot of snow with the snow monkeys!
#tokyo #Japan
