Factsheet: Keeping people and polar bears safe

As Arctic sea ice thins and retreats, increasing numbers of polar bears are spending longer periods in the summer open-water season resting along Arctic coastlines.

Here, their powerful sense of smell attracts them to human waste, stored food, dog teams, and animal carcasses—bringing them into greater conflict with Arctic people. WWF works to reduce conflict between humans and polar bears, helping communities live safely alongside the Arctic’s top predator.

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