IUCN SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group
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Overview and description
- Description:
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The greatest challenge to conservation of polar bears is ecological change in the Arctic resulting from climatic warming.The PBSG evaluates available scientific information and assesses the status and ...
Group leadership
Dr Nick LUNN
More about the Specialist Group
As a result of international concern in the mid-1960s that existing scientific knowledge of polar bears was inadequate for the effective management of the species, the IUCN SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) was established in 1968 to be the primary source of science-based information with which to address conservation issues. For over 50 years, the PBSG has coordinated, synthesized, and distributed scientific information necessary to guide the long-term ...
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The IUCN SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group has a mission to coordinate, synthesize, and distribute scientific information necessary to guide the long-term viability of polar bears and their habitats.
Specialist Group work
PBSG synthesizes/distributes scientific information and identifies research/conservation priorities for the long-term viability of polar bears. It is the scientific advisor to the Polar Bear Range States in support of the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears and provides scientific advice with regard to the IUCN Red List, CITES, and other conventions.
Science-based advice to conserve polar bears
Using updated criteria and recent scientific information, assess status/trend of all subpopulations.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
PBSG evaluates global risk of extinction of polar bears for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
2022 PBSG Annual Report
Learn about PBSG’s work and results in 2022.
Previous reports:
2021 PBSG Annual Report
2020 PBSG Annual Report
2018 PBSG Annual Report
2016-2017 PBSG Annual Report