Polar Bear Week 2025 Press Release

CHURCHILL, CANADA – November 3, 2025 – Polar Bears International (PBI), the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to polar bears and Arctic sea ice, hosts Polar Bear Week from November 2 - 8, 2025, coinciding with the annual gathering of bears along Hudson Bay near Churchill. 

This year’s theme, coexistence, highlights the impacts of climate change, the power of innovation, community collaboration, and a focus on building a future where polar bears and people thrive together. 

From the launch of the first EV Tundra Buggy One, a sustainable research and outreach vehicle in Northern Canada, to the debut of the AI-powered “Bear-dar” detection system, Polar Bear Week 2025 showcases real-world solutions for coexistence in a changing climate, proving that clean energy and creativity can drive conservation even at –40°C. Learn more and get involved here. 

“Polar Bear Week celebrates what’s possible when innovation, community, and compassion come together,” says Krista Wright, Executive Director of Polar Bears International. “By electrifying Tundra Buggy One and advancing coexistence tools, we’re working towards a better future for both polar bears and people. We invite everyone to tune in to our live chats and polar bear cams from the new EV Tundra Buggy One and take climate action in their own communities.”

What’s New in 2025:

• The First-Ever EV “Tundra Buggy One” Hits the Tundra: In partnership with Frontiers North Adventures, a leader in sustainable tourism, PBI is unveiling EV Tundra Buggy One. The first-ever electric Tundra Buggy to be built from the ground up by the incredible team at Noble Northern Ltd, rather than converting a diesel engine vehicle. This zero-emission propulsion, research, and outreach vehicle replaces the original diesel-powered Tundra Buggy that served scientists for nearly two decades. The battery-electric research and broadcast vehicle allows scientists, media crews, and guests to observe and live-stream polar bears up close while contributing less to carbon pollution – proving clean energy can thrive even in the harshest Subarctic conditions.

• Coexistence Advancements:

  • “Bear-Dar” AI Officially Launches: After years of testing in Winnipeg and Churchill, Polar Bears International’s “Bear-Dar” – an Artificial Intelligence radar system that detects approaching polar bears through day and night, wind and snow – is now being deployed at the Eureka research station in Northern Canada. Bear-dar alerts residents of nearby bears, keeping people and bears safe.

  • Bear-Safe Infrastructure in Churchill: Churchill’s Bear Smart Working Group, Polar Bears International, and the town of Churchill are rolling out bear-resistant bins, electric fencing, and improved waste management to reduce attractants and protect both bears and people.

  • Deterrent Research Underway: Polar Bears International is supporting research on novel scent-based deterrents (e.g., citronella, skunk odors), drone-based deterrence, and additional non-lethal approaches/tools to safely discourage bears from entering human communities.

• Snow Bear: A Short Film on Connection and Climate: This year, Polar Bears International proudly supports Snow Bear, a hand-drawn short film by Oscar-nominated animator Aaron Blaise (Brother Bear, The Lion King, Aladdin). The film explores themes of connection and climate hope. During Polar Bear Week, Aaron will join Polar Bears International live in Churchill for three drawing sessions (Nov. 4-6) streaming from EV Tundra Buggy One. Check out the airing times for more info. 

The Latest on Churchill’s Polar Bears: 

Every fall, polar bears gather on the shores of Hudson Bay to wait for the sea ice to return so they can hunt their seal prey. But the summer ice-free period now lasts three to four weeks longer than in the 1980s, straining the limits of the bears’ fat reserves. This tracker tallies how many days the polar bears have been off the sea ice– the critical number is 180 days off the ice, after which 21% of adult males and 63% are unlikely to survive. Due to this relationship with the sea ice, climate change remains the biggest long-term threat to polar bears worldwide. Throughout 2025, critical research was published about polar bears in Churchill’s Western Hudson Bay subpopulation of polar bears, including: 

• This subpopulation has declined by ~50% since 1979 due to climate-driven sea ice loss.

• Fewer females are becoming pregnant, and the body condition of females is decreasing, underscoring the importance of moms and cubs. 

• “Bears Are Like Family”: Indigenous Knowledge Shares New Insights for Human-Polar Bear Coexistence in Churchill

Get Involved in Polar Bear Week 2025:

• Watch Polar Bear Live Cams:  Stream real-time views of wild polar bears, including close-up views of moms snuggling cubs, males sparring, and young bears testing the ice along the shore. Powered by explore.org, the largest live nature network in the world, along with Polar Bears International, Frontiers North Adventures, Parks Canada, and the Churchill Northern Studies Center, these live cams, including some mounted on the new EV Tundra Buggy One, offer a front-seat view of the polar bear’s world. 

• Track how many days the Western Hudson Bay polar bears have been off the sea ice.

• Tune into Tundra Connections and participate in live webcasts with scientists, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and special guests. Highlights from the schedule include:

  • Learn to Draw Polar Bears – Register for live sessions from EV Tundra Buggy One with animator Aaron Blaise on Nov. 4–6. [register here]

  • Explore Coexistence Research – Join the webcast Building a Bigger, Better Bear Safety Toolbox on Nov. 12. [register here].

• Take Action – Donate, symbolically adopt a polar bear, or share information with #PolarBearWeek to support coexistence and climate action.

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About Polar Bears International

Polar Bears International is the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to polar bears and Arctic sea ice. The organization works to inspire people to care about the Arctic, the threats to its future, and the connection between this remote region and our global climate. The team includes leading scientists and conservationists, and the organization is recognized as a leader in polar bear conservation. For more information, visit www.polarbearsinternational.org.

Polar Bears International media contacts:

Annie Edwards: annie@fabricmedia.net, +44 07307 139782
Melissa Hourigan: melissa@fabricmedia.net, +1 720 988 3856

About Frontiers North Adventures

Frontiers North Adventures is a Certified B Corporation(TM) and a leader in sustainable travel since 1987. Hosting guests primarily in Churchill, Manitoba, to dine beneath the northern lights, splash alongside beluga whales and lock eyes with wild polar bears. They share in the stewardship of the resources made available to them and passionately share their values with their guests. They are the official Conservation Journey® and Tundra Buggy® people.
www.frontiersnorth.com

About explore.org

Founded in 2004 by Charles Annenberg Weingarten, Director and Vice President of the Annenberg Foundation, explore.org is a philanthropic multimedia organization with a mission to champion the selfless acts of others and create a portal into the natural world. With over 100 live streaming cameras, explore.org is the largest live nature network in the world.