PROTECTING POLAR BEARS IN A CHANGING ARCTIC

By Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Polar bears have long captured our imaginations. They’re powerful, graceful and unmistakably iconic. They stand as symbols of the Arctic and serve as ambassadors for a rapidly changing world. In 2008, they became the first species listed as threatened due to climate change, reflecting what scientists and northern communities were already witnessing: a warming Arctic was reshaping everything these animals depend on.

These challenges highlight the importance and impact of partnerships, resilience and people working together, from Churchill in Manitoba, Canada, to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio — all united to protect one of the world’s most extraordinary species.

Despite habitat obstacles, polar bears continue to persevere, as featured in this Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild episode from Season 3, “On Thin Ice”

Life in a land of ice and light

Polar bears live across the circumpolar north, hunting seals from the drifting sea ice of Alaska, Canada, Russia, Norway and Greenland. Perfectly adapted for life in the Arctic, they now face a uniquely urgent threat as the sea ice they rely on to survive is rapidly disappearing.

The Arctic is warming much faster than the global average. In places like Churchill, where Hudson Bay should freeze by late fall, bears are spending more time onshore waiting for ice that forms later each year. Longer periods without hunting mean declining body conditions, fewer surviving cubs and increasing pressure on polar bears, with some regional populations showing measurable and often drastic declines in recent decades.

Still, there’s hope. Communities, researchers, policymakers and zoos such as the Columbus Zoo are working together to find solutions.

Churchill: where the world learns from polar bears

Every fall, polar bears gather around Churchill waiting for the sea ice to form — a congregation that makes Churchill the polar bear capital of the world and one of the most important places for polar bear conservation.

Polar Bears International (PBI), the leading organization dedicated to polar bear conservation, operates an interpretive center and field programs in Churchill. The region is also home to innovative tools such as the electric Tundra Buggy® One, coexistence programs and research projects that help scientists track, study and protect polar bears across the Arctic.

As an official Arctic Ambassador Center for PBI, the Columbus Zoo is part of a global network of zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks collaborating on research, education and climate action. Several team members from animal care, education and communications have participated in PBI’s Climate Alliance Program, an eight-month leadership experience that includes a week-long field immersion in Churchill. The program deepens understanding, strengthens conservation messaging and empowers participants to inspire climate-smart solutions in their own communities.

Seeing a polar bear in the Arctic for the first time — standing against the wind, waiting for the ice to  form — is unforgettable. It’s also a vivid reminder that the work happening in Columbus is connected to the world far beyond Ohio.

To learn more, watch this classic Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom episode from season 10 about “The Polar Bears of Churchill”

Polar Frontier: Churchill in Ohio

At the Columbus Zoo’s Polar Frontier habitat, guests meet two beloved polar bears, Aurora and Lee. Their habitat, inspired by Churchill’s coastline and tundra, provides opportunities to swim, explore and engage in species-specific behaviors essential to their well-being.

One of the most remarkable of these behaviors is denning.

Each fall, Aurora retreats into a quiet space to rest and prepare for the possibility of cubs. Because polar bear pregnancies involve delayed implantation and there’s no reliable test to confirm pregnancy, the majority of the denning process relies on instinct and preparation.

In their native range, denning is one of the most vulnerable stages in a polar bear’s life cycle. Only 50%-60% of cubs in the wild survive their first year. As shrinking sea ice limits the time females have to hunt and build the fat reserves needed to sustain themselves and their nursing cubs, this often leads to prolonged fasting periods that can further impact cub survival.

Since her arrival at the Columbus Zoo, Aurora has raised four thriving cubs. Her success contributes significantly to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) efforts to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse polar bear population.

While Aurora is supported with specialized care from her dedicated team, polar bear mothers in the Arctic face far more difficult circumstances. Warmer temperatures, longer ice-free seasons and reduced access to seals make it difficult to build the fat reserves needed to sustain themselves and their cubs.

Why research matters

This contrast underscores why research both in the Arctic and at accredited zoos, like the Columbus Zoo, is essential.

Data collected from bears in professional care provide controlled insights into metabolic needs, body condition, denning behavior and responses to new technologies. These findings help scientists validate field observations, refine population models, improve tracking tools and better predict how wild bears will cope as sea ice declines.

Shared learning reinforces this work. Time spent in Churchill alongside conservation partners and other accredited zoos enriches the expertise Columbus Zoo staff bring back to Ohio, strengthening conservation messaging, climate education and guest engagement.

Whether or not cubs arrive each year, Aurora and Lee serve as ambassadors for Arctic bears and are key contributors to research shaping the future of polar bear conservation.

Science through collaboration

Protecting polar bears requires many minds working together. Building on this spirit of partnership, the Columbus Zoo collaborates with researchers, conservation organizations and fellow accredited zoos to advance studies that support polar bears in their native range.

Here are a few ways the Columbus Zoo contributes: 

Helping researchers understand bear health

The Columbus Zoo has partnered with U.S. Geological Survey scientists and the Polar Bear Research Council to test noninvasive imaging tools that estimate bear size and condition — key information for Arctic population monitoring programs.

Advancing tracking technology

Through PBI and 3M’s Burr on Fur project, the zoo helped test prototypes of temporary tracking tags designed for adult males and younger bears that cannot wear GPS collars due to fit. By evaluating how the tags performed in water, both on their fur and during active play, the zoo contributed data that helped refine the technology before field deployment.

Contributing to reproductive science

The zoo collaborates with experts on polar bear reproductive research, tracking details such as hours spent denning and mating behavior. Even when cubs don’t result, these efforts provide data that support long-term genetic diversity and population management.

Investing in conservation and inspiring action

Since the late 1990s, the Columbus Zoo has contributed approximately $300,000 to polar bear conservation, supporting field research, coexistence programs, climate education and PBI-led initiatives.

As an Arctic Ambassador Center, the zoo also plays a key role in raising awareness here at home. Through partnerships, programs and community engagement, the zoo helps share steps that communities and workplaces can take to support the transition to clean, renewable energy — a shift essential for protecting sea ice.

Leadership beyond the Arctic

The strength of polar bear conservation lies not only in the Arctic but also in the leaders who bring those experiences home. At the Columbus Zoo, this includes animal care experts, educators, storytellers and conservation advocates who help connect our community to the challenges facing polar bears.

Among these leaders is Nikki Smith, curator of the zoo’s North America Trek region. Smith’s dedication to polar bear care and conservation has inspired supporters through stories that spark hope, deepen understanding and encourage long-term commitment to protecting the species.

“Every time someone sees a polar bear — whether it’s Aurora and Lee here at the zoo or a wild bear walking the tundra in Churchill — something shifts,” Smith said. “People feel connected. They want to help. And when we combine that passion with science, education and strong partnerships, we can truly make a difference for polar bears.”

Together, these efforts reflect the zoo’s mission in action: Empowering people. Saving wildlife.

How you can help protect polar bears

Small choices make a big difference:

• Talk about your concerns with friends and family. Research shows most people worry about climate change but stay quiet because they think they’re alone. Speaking up helps break that silence and builds momentum for broader action.
• Encourage action in your school, workplace or community. Advocate for steps like reducing energy use, choosing reusable products or adding more plant-based menu options — changes that make a much bigger impact when adopted by groups.
• Support climate solutions at the community level. Advocate for local initiatives and broader climate policies that reduce emissions and strengthen resilience.
• Visit AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. Your visits help support essential research, education and wildlife care.
• Learn more and share accurate information. Staying informed, and helping others stay informed, builds understanding and encourages collective action.
• Support organizations like PBI. Their research and community-based conservation work directly helps protect polar bears and the sea ice they depend on.

Studies show that sea ice is highly responsive to global temperatures. While we sometimes hear about potential “tipping points,” science also shows that every step we take to lower emissions helps preserve sea ice. Every action truly matters for polar bears.

A shared future

Polar bears remind us of the beauty and vulnerability of the Arctic. They’re resilient and extraordinary animals, but the rapid environmental changes in their habitat aren’t challenges they can face alone.

Through the combined efforts of zoos, conservation organizations, scientists, communities and supporters like you, there’s still time to make a difference.

Explore more on polar bears in Manitoba. Watch this classic Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom episode from Season 26, “Problem Bears of the North”