It's estimated there are around 1,000 polar bears in the Norwegian Arctic, including 200-300 around Svalbard. Climate change is the single greatest threat to polar bears, as they depend on sea ice to hunt seals for a long enough period each year to accumulate enough fat to survive the times when seals are unavailable. 

The IUCN estimates that by 2050, polar bear numbers may decline by 30% due to the rapid loss of sea ice. We’re supporting scientists to monitor the conditions and movement of polar bears to understand the impact that different threats, such as climate change and the expansion of industry in the Arctic, are having on different polar bear populations.

This project also supports the longest running dataset on the impacts of climate change and sea ice loss on polar bear reproduction, including denning surveys, collaring & telemetry.  

This gift will help the team track polar bears in Svalbard, part of the Barents Sea population, noting this is one of the fastest warming regions of the planet (up to 7 times faster than the global average).