The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is found in the Arctic and classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This marine mammal can swim more than 30 miles when sea ice has receded due to warm temperatures. Listen to a podcast from Encyclopedia of Life that tells the story of two personal encounters with a polar bear, and find out more about its Arctic home.
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Polar Bear Mother and Cub
![A polar bear and its cub in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.](/sites/default/files/styles/3_2_large/public/2023-11/Polar_Bear_Alan_Wilson.jpg.webp?itok=smoIo8MM)