Arctic Wanderers: 22 incredible photos of polar bears

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Arctic Wanderers: 22 incredible photos of polar bears

By Alessandro Beconi, Anette Mossbacher, Dave Sandford, Daisy Gilardini, Marco Ronconi, Jenny Wong and more…

The New Big 5 project is creating a New Big 5 of wildlife photography, rather than hunting. Shooting with a camera, not a gun. The project is supported by more than 150 photographers, conservationists and wildlife charities.

VOTE for the 5 animals you want to be included in the New big 5 of wildlife photography HERE

Did you know… polar bears’ fur isn’t actually white? Find out more in our article Everything You Need To Know About Polar Bears

“Scientists estimate the global polar bear population is around 20,000 to 25,000. The IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group lists the polar bear as a vulnerable species, citing sea ice loss from climate change as the single biggest threat to their survival. Polar bears are dependent on sea ice, and all sea ice is being affected by the increasing temperatures in the Arctic. Without action on climate change, we could see dramatic declines in polar bear numbers by the middle of this century.” Dr. Thea Bechshoft, Polar Bears International

Find out more about the work Polar Bears International are doing to protect polar bears, including on climate change and human-wildlife conflict reduction at polarbearsinternational.org

Climate change isn’t the only threat facing polar bears. Hundreds of polar bears are hunted and killed each year for their skins and as trophies. Around 53,500 were hunted between 1963 and 2016, twice as many as are alive today.

Find out more about the work People For Nature And Peace do to protect polar bears at www.peoplefornatureandpeace.org

Photos by:

Daisy Gilardini: www.daisygilardini.com / @daisygilardini

Anette Mossbacher: anettemossbacher.com / @anette_mossbacher

Alessandro Beconi: www.alessandrobeconi.com / @beconialessandro

Michel Zoghzoghi: www.mz-images.com / @michel_zoghzoghi

Sergio Pitamitz: www.pitamitz.com / @SergioPitamitz

Staffan Widstrand: www.staffanwidstrand.se / @staffanwidstrand

Dave Sandford: www.davesandfordphotos.com / @davesandford

Thomas Mangelsen: www.mangelsen.com / @thomasdmangelsen

Graeme Purdy: purdy.photography / @graemepurdy

Art Wolfe: artwolfe.com / @artwolfe

Jonas Beyer: www.jonasbeyer.com / @beyer_photo

Marsel van Oosten: www.squiver.com / @marselvanoosten

Ole Jorgen Liodden: oleliodden.com / @ojlwildphoto

Marco Gaiotti: @marcogaiotti_naturephotography

Shogo Asao: www.rakuensanka.com

Shannon Wild: shannonwild.photoshelter.com / @shannon__wild

Mattias Klum: www.mattiasklum.com / @mattiasklumofficial

Jenny Wong: www.jennwong.ca / @jdubcaptures

Marcus Westberg: www.marcuswestberg.photo / @marcuswestbergphotography

KT Miller: www.ktmiller.photo / @ktmillerphoto

Marco Ronconi: www.marcoronconi.com / @marcoronconi

Amy Gulick: www.amygulick.com / @amy_gulick

NOTE: The best way to solve the crises facing the planet and its wildlife is by having open, honest, respectful conversations and hearing diverse voices from around the world. The New Big 5 project does not necessarily support or agree with every opinion or idea expressed by photographers, conservationists or organisations featured on the New Big 5 website. The many different wildlife charities, photographers, film-makers and conservationists we’ve collaborated with also do not necessarily support or agree with every idea or opinion expressed by other people or organisations on the website. It’s ok to disagree and debate. But we hope the opinions and ideas can inspire people, make people think, and be part of the conversation to help our planet and the animals that live on it.