In brief:

Polar bears are in danger of extinction in the future if global warming is not stopped. Their habitat, the Arctic sea ice, is melting more and more every year, making it difficult for the bears to store enough food (as fat) to last them through the summers, which are lengthening. Furthermore, weak female bears produce fewer cubs.

More detail:

The polar bears' current risk of extinction:

The polar bear species' existence is threatened, but, contrary to a widespread misunderstanding, they are not listed on the main Endangered Species Lists with a status of Endangered at present. They are listed as Threatened in the US Fish and Wildlife Services Endangered Species List, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has them listed in 2011 with a status of Vulnerable (a subcategory of the IUCN Threatened status), along with a population trend of Decreasing.There is common confusion about the different lists' status categories and their meanings.

In the IUCN Red List, Vulnerable is a subcategory of Threatened. There are three main status groups on the IUCN Red List to qualify the level of peril: Extinct, Threatened, and At Lower Risk. The IUCN Threatened status is subcategorized into three additional status levels: Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable. So, as on the US list, polar bears are considered Threatened on the international IUCN Red List, and further qualified there with the Threatened subcategory of Vulnerable.

The fact that polar bears are not yet at the status of Endangered may be due, in part, to the foresight of the five nations that agreed to make polar bear conservation a priority and protected them by signing the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears in 1973. The five nations were: Canada, Denmark, Norway, USSR, and USA, ranges of polar bears in the wild. See the related links below for more information about the statuses and listings.

Why are they Threatened?

The polar bear population has suffered from various forms of hunting including, but not limited to, unregulated sport hunting from aircraft and from icebreakers, which were common hunting practices in the past. There was also unregulated hunting of polar bears in their known denning areas during the birthing season. These practices are now prohibited or regulated in the nations that host the polar bears' ranges and that agreed to put conservation measures in place. But the polar bear is a slow reproducer and the populations are still listed as decreasing overall in IUCN's Red List, despite those decades-long regulations against various forms of hunting.

Plus, the very nature of the polar bear makes it difficult to observe, protect and study. They do not behave as many other large carnivores do, who claim large territorial hunting areas that they then mark and patrol. Polar bears are a free rangingspecies and they use different migrating range patterns from hunting ice floes, to the shore line, and on inland. This makes the preservation of their habitat especially critical and difficult. They move over great distances following the ice floes for access to their main food sources and denning areas. This migration varies and is controlled, impacted and changed to some degree by the weather, breeding, and birthing seasons. Their habitat loss has been determined to be in large part due to climate change and melting.

Pollution has also significantly impacted their ecosystem and has resulted in species population decreases. Pollution has a huge impact on them due to their specialized diet. They are the top predator of their region, so they are exposed to pollution and toxins encountered through their food sources.

Polar bears are a specialized species adapted to a specific environment, therefore, any environmental change has a dramatic effect on the populations as a whole. Many studies are underway to determine what impacts the major shifts in the temperatures have had or may have on this species and their habitat and food sources. It is already known that females will not give birth if they are under normal weights. If they do give birth while malnourished, often the cub is undernourished at birth, too, and the mother continues to have trouble providing the cub with the proper amounts or quality of milk to allow the cub to survive and have normal growth. The normal survival rates for cubs is on average low, but with any additional stress on the mother or cub, those rates drastically decline further. Her ability to adequately hunt and feed the cubs depends on her body being nourished and in peak condition.

Many scientists who study their environment and needs are uncertain as to what type of changes the polar bears' habitat may continue to experience, but they are agreed that even minor changes in the habitat will have far reaching negative effects on the polar bears' populations, food sources, birthing and survival rates, and on the stability of the ice floes which are critical for hunting and feeding. The polar bear is a threatened species, perhaps mainly because of melting and shrinking pack ice caused by warming of the earth's climate.

For links to more details, see the related links section below.

The polar bear is not an endangered species. Listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.

Answer 2:

In May 2008 the U.S listed the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Polar bears depend on sea ice for hunting and breeding. Summer ice loss in the Arctic now equals an area the size of Alaska, Texas, and the state of Washington combined.

The video link below shows the white summer ice getting smaller and smaller every year from 1978 to 2008.

In 2009 the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, at a meeting of its Polar Bear Specialist Group stated:

1. The greatest challenge to conservation of polar bears is ecological change in the Arctic resulting from climatic warming.
2. Unabated global warming will ultimately threaten polar bears everywhere.
3. Declines in the extent of the sea ice have accelerated since the last meeting of the group in 2005, with unprecedented sea ice retreats in 2007 and 2008.
4. Where habitats are stable, polar bears are a renewable resource. We support the right of aboriginal groups to harvest polar bears within sustainable limits.
5. One of 19 sub-populations of polar bear is currently increasing, 3 are stable and 8 are declining. For the remaining 7 sub-populations available data were insufficient to provide an assessment of current trend.
6. The total number of polar bears is still thought to be between 20,000 and 25,000.
7. Interpretations by scientists and local hunters disagree regarding population status.
8. We are optimistic that humans can mitigate the effects of global warming and other threats to polar bears, and ensure that they remain a part of the Arctic ecosystem in perpetuity.

The ice caps have returned to previous high levels, because their has been no warming for 18 years. The polar bear has a population of nearly 25,000, and they are currently under no threat of extinction. The global warming alarmists predicted the ice caps would be gone by 2013. In fact, both are growing in coverage, so don't believe all you hear from them.
The Polar Bear is not listed as "endangered" according to the US Fish and Wildlife Services Endangered Species List, or the US FWS. The Polar Bear is listed as "threatened" by the US FWS, and as "vulnerable" with a population posted as "decreasing" by the International Union of Conservation for Nature, or the IUCN Red List. The Polar Bear has been listed due to the current loss of habitat, contact with humans, and the projected changes that climate change is forecast to have on their environment. With the decreasing numbers of prey and the limited access to their prey, the Polar Bears will not give birth as often or to as many cubs. When they do have cubs, birth weights will be lower, decreasing the chances of survival for the cub. Plus the Polar Bear is a specialized species, and it depends on it's adaptions to survive in a harsh cold climate. Those adaptions will work against the Polar Bear in a quickly changing environment. For more details, please see the sites listed below.
As you know, polar bears live on Icebergs. And again, it's GLOBAL WARMING, which makes the Earth warmer. Therefore, the icebergs will melt slowly. The polar bears will end up "homeless". And most probably die in the water.

Polar bears habitat is governed by ice caps and the ecosystem it holds. Global warming is effecting the ecosystem very negatively, which also puts Polar bears at a bigger risk. Their strength has already been started reducing. Another view: the current warming trend has parts of the Arctic melting slowly. At the current rate we only have a few thousand years of ice left. Global warming is not considered a current threat. Over hunting could be. They are not considered endangered so hunting of polar bears is still legal and could stop the current population growth of these bears.
They are not anywhere near endangered and no responsible group claims this. There numbers were down to 5000 in the 60's and now number around 25,000.

Selective hunting is allowed because of their healthy population.

Some groups claim that if global warming increases that maybe the polar bear could become endangered. Most do so for monetary purposes.

That cute little polar bear you see sitting all alone on a chuck of ice stranded is awesome for getting a few dollars not of people that do not understand the issues.

Polar bears are also referred to as sea bears because they love to swim and can do so for long periods f time. They can not get stranded on a glacier.
Habitat destruction as a result of global warming, and pollution. The polar icecaps melting causes habitat destruction, and pollution limits food sources. Therefor, polar bears are being forced farther and farther south, where they are not considered welcome by humans.

Mostly by globel warming.

-from when one of us smoke

The polar bear is listed as Vulnerable, which means it has the potential to become an endangered species if certain factors cause the population to drop to levels which the animal cannot sustain itself.

But as for now, polar bears are not considerd an endangered species.

The popular notion is this animal is in trouble because of global warming, but again, the jury is still out on that theory.
They are not endangered by any list.
because they can not find food so they die from hunger

not sure....
global warming
An amazing set of answers I got for you while researching this. First, polar bears are not endangered, but listed as threatened. But, the World Wildlife fund says the population is increasing. I will ask you to go to the IUCN Redlist, maybe they can give you the info. I keep coming up with conflicting evidence.
There endangered because the polar ice caps are meltingis the common belief.

The reality is that the arctic is not melting away and these creatures are not endangered. Reality over politics is that their numbers have grown to over 20,000.

Last year the Arctic saw record ice growth.
It currently is not endangered! Please check the IUCN Redlist for status on this species. Additional Info: The IUCN Red List currently lists the Polar Bear, with a status of "Vulnerable", with the populations "decreasing". While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species List, also lists the Polar Bear, with a status of "Threatened". One of the reason given for the listing of "threatened" was decreasing population in some areas. This was linked with the lack of prey, and less summer ice, creating a longer fasting period for the Polar Bears. Which stresses the bears nutritionally, effecting their ability bare, and feed young during the following season.
Polar bears are endangered because global warming is melting the ice on which they live on.

They are not endangered. They are growing in population. We know that there are between 20,000 and 25,000 bears in the Arctic today (way up from 800). Wolves are being considered as a potential animal to be taken off the list at 8000.

This does not mean that the senseless hunting of these creatures should continue.

Ursus maritimus ("sea bear") is the scientific name for a polar bear.

(Originally the polar bear was classified a separate genus from other species of bears, as Thalarctos maritimus.)

I think its Ursus maritimus but i am not 100% sure :)

The scientific name for the polar bear is Ursus maritimus.

Formally Thalarctos Maritimus. However, since recent data shows they are very closely related to brown bears, it has been changed to Ursus Maritimus.

The scientific name for polar bears is Ursus maritimus.

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear. The polar bear has many body characteristics adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice, and open water, and for hunting the pinnipeds that make up most of its diet. Although most polar bears are born on land, they spend most of their time at sea.

1. It has padded paws to keep away the coldness of the ice and to protect it from any sharp objects.

2. Thick waterproof fur for insulation - It is the most fur-clad of all the bears, covering all but the eyes, nose and foot pads.

3. Black skin underneath the white fur to attract/absorb any sunlight to add to its warmth.

4. White fur to blend in with its habitat.

5. Large feet to distribute its body weight on the snow and ice and broad paws to help it swim.

6. Curved claws to dig through the ice and snow.

7. Its nostrils close underwater so the water won't get in.

8. Polar bears have non slip soles to stand firmly on the ice.

9. They have hair between the toes and pads that helps protect them against the cold.

10. Sometimes, to get out of the harsh Arctic wind, the bears burrow deep under layers of snow.

11. They have an acute sense of smell, and can easily smell a whale carcass 30km away or seals up to 2m beneath the snow and ice.

12. They have bigger eyes and better eyesight: vision exceeds that of all other bears. They also have an extra transparent eyelid.

13. The best protection from the cold is the 5-12cm layer of fat under the skin which also acts like a "wet suit" for warmth in water.

14. Their ears have fur on the inside, and when they dive the ear canals close so no water gets into them.

15. Their ears are small and rounded to help keep water out.

16. Their body is streamlined for swimming as they don't have the shoulder hump of other bears.

their fur and paws

Their fur is structured so that their like straws - it's light and it keeps the bear dry and warm. They use their front paws as paddles and their hind feet as rudders to swim and navigate through water. They have a thick (11cm) layer of blubber to keep them warm. Their nostrils close when they swim underwater.

The physical adaptations that help polar bears survive include :

• FUR : their thick fur keeps them warm in frigid air and water (it's actually hollow)
• WHITE FUR: actually transparent, for camouflage in ice and snow. Also reflects the heat lost through the skin, back into it's body.
• SKIN: their skin is black to absorb heat from the sun's rays to help keep them warm
• PAWS : the pads provide traction on ice
• BIG PAWS : spread body weight on ice, and are broad for use in swimming
• CLAWS : are curved to dig through ice
• SMALL EARS and TAILS : are short to minimize heat loss
• TEETH : more jagged than most bears, suiting a carnivore
• FAT LAYERS: keeps them warm (insulates)
• NOSTRILS : their nostrils close underwater

this was written by Lspace:)

Camouflage helps a polar bear become a better predator because the prey doesn't see it coming.

Although you should note that camouflage used mostly for defensive purposes.
The prey cannot see the Polar bear approaching, it gives them the element of surprise, If the bears were black or brown like their counterparts, animals that they hunt would spot them a mile off

The Polar Bear is listed with a status of "threatened", according to the US Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species List, or the US FWS ESA. Also the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or the IUCN Red List, has the Polar Bear Listed with a status of "vulnerable", with a population trend "decreasing". For more details, please see the sites listed below.

Polar bears are in danger of extinction in the future if global warming continues, as their habitat, Arctic sea ice, is shrinking every year, making it difficult for bears to have enough food to last through the lengthening summers. With a population of nearly 25,000, the polar bear is not in danger of extinction now. They are listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.

If global warming continues, their existence will be threatened because their habitat, Arctic sea ice, is shrinking almost every year. This makes it difficult for the bears to store enough food (as fat) to last them through the lengthening summers. Weakened female bears produce fewer cubs, and this has been documented already.
The Polar Bear is being studied closely now by many groups. All the 19 sub-populations of polar bear are under close research, five are declining, five are more or less stable, two are increasing and seven are without enough data to make a decision either way, making them "data deficient". Those data deficient populations make most experts and groups of researchers very uncomfortable, any major decisions made without more information, and details can have long reaching effects on those populations. The IUCN Red List has a "Bear Specialist Group". They are reclassifying the polar bear with a "Vulnerable" status, according to a meeting held in Seattle in 2005. As of May 2008 the U.S. FWS, Endangered Species List posted the polar bear with a "Threatened" status, giving the, sea ice-floe loss, as one of their main concerns. The Polar Bear is also protected by the CITES Appendix II. Many people and groups are interested in the poplar bear and it's future, hopefully this kind of attention will help increase awareness for all animals, and their habitats. For more details, please see the sites listed below.

Species of least concern, and vulnerable do not mean endangered. Look at the text. Also see World Wildlife Fund's "Polar Bears Uncovered". Now don't get me wrong, the species is in some trouble for sure, but with only five of nineteen populations declining, and two increasing, (I saw that text, too.) That hardly means endangered. It is a different step on the IUCN Red List altogether.

There is no group that calls out the polar bear to be endangered. They do list it as threatened. They do have issues. Their increase is slowed by hunting and other man induced factors. They have increased from lows of 800 to well over 20,000. Endangered though is not a class you can honestly state is factual.
No. The polar bear is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.

No. They are listed as "Vulnerable".
The polar bear is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
The polar bear is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. With a population of 23000 plus, they are not considered an endangered species.
The polar bear is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. With a population of 23000 plus, they are not considered an endangered species.
The polar bear is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. With a population of 23000 plus, they are not considered an endangered species.
The polar bear is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. With a population of 23000 plus, they are not considered an endangered species.
Polar Bears are very vulnerable to climate change and human hunting. Due to their sheer size, they have no natural predators except themselves. Large males have been known to kill off younger/smaller bears to cut out on competition. Man has been hunting these giant carnivores for centuries for its skin and fur. As of now, approximately 20000 to 25000 animals exist in the Arctic wilderness. Their numbers are steadily declining due to habitat loss and hunting. Oil and Gas exploration in the Arctic too is a significant cause for the decline in Polar Bear numbers. Due to human activity and global warming, the ice caps are melting. So, the effective land that the bears have for hunting is coming down. Pollution too is killing off prey species. So, everything put together is endangering the species.
Polar bears are not endangered. Traditionally they spend winter hunting on the Arctic Ocean. The Arctic Ocean has been freezing several weeks later than it used to freeze over.

Other people are not concerned. Polar bears in Alaska have changed their hunting habits. Instead of hunting on the pack ice, they have started hunting on land. The bears have proven smarter than people have given them credit for being.
Although considered the "poster child" for environmentalists, this animal is listed as Vulnerable, not endangered. The polar bear population is fairly stable at around 25000 animals.
Polar bears are threatened. Their conservation status is Vulnerable, according to the IUCN. They are threatened due to a decrease in sea ice, which they need to hunt. The sea ice is decreasing because of global warming.
No. They are listed as Vulnerable, or Threatened, by the IUCN.
are polar bears endangerd
No, they are not on any Endangered list and there numbers exceed 20,000 and appear to be growing.
Yes. Polar bears are endangered. In fact, the percantage of the chances polar bears can become extinct is 60%. That's where reduce, reuse, and recycle comes in. We have to recyle and not litter in order for hibernating animals to survuve in the wild. Many animals are suffering eating plastic bottles and items, which makes them die, and many of those animals happen to be polar bears because they may live by icy waters. So there's your specific answer.
No. Listed as "Vulnerable", or "Threatened", but with a population approaching 25000, it is not an endangered species.

A fully grown male weighs between 350 and 700 Kilos - that's between 775 and 1500 lbs.

The females weigh about half of the males' weights.

Adult male polar bears have an average weight of 775 to 1,200 pounds. Adult female polar bears have an average weight of 330 to 650 pounds.

The polar bear is the largest carnivore on the earth. Adult males weigh between 350 to 680 kilograms (770 to 1500 pounds). Females are comparatively smaller and weigh around 150 to 250 kilograms (330 to 550 pounds). However, when the female is pregnant, she can weigh as high as 500 kilograms. The largest ever Polar Bear recorded by man weighed 1002 kilograms (2210 pounds).

anywhere between 800 and 1600 pounds ...

The polar bear is the largest carnivore on the earth. Adult males weigh between 350 to 680 kilograms (770 to 1500 pounds). Females are comparatively smaller and weigh around 150 to 250 kilograms (330 to 550 pounds). However, when the female is pregnant, she can weigh as high as 500 kilograms. The largest ever Polar Bear recorded by man weighed 1002 kilograms (2210 pounds).

The polar bear is the largest carnivore on the earth. Adult males weigh between 350 to 680 kilograms (770 to 1500 pounds). Females are comparatively smaller and weigh around 150 to 250 kilograms (330 to 550 pounds). However, when the female is pregnant, she can weigh as high as 500 kilograms. The largest ever Polar Bear recorded by man weighed 1002 kilograms (2210 pounds).

Many big males weigh up to 1000 pounds, and some may exceed 1400 pounds.
100

Not much really.

• Countries are trying to stop global warming, which is the main threat to polar bears, but not many countries are doing enough to stop it.
• It has been illegal to kill/hunt them since the 1970s.
• WWF is trying to save by raising awareness.
• Some zoos and animal protection agencys keep them to look after and make sure they don't become extinct.