The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded in 1961 by a group of passionate individuals to secure funding that would protect places and species affected by human development, including polar bears. Today, the charity is the leading conservation organization dedicated to protecting our natural world.

WWF also works to protect critical polar bear habitats, including important movement corridors and denning areas, and to minimize additional stressors from industrial activity such as oil and gas development and Arctic shipping. WWF supports community involvement in conservation and management.

So just when did polar bears arise as a separate subspecies? Genetic models show that the emergence of the polar bear could have taken place as recently as 70,000 years ago or as many as 1.5 million years ago. For many years, a fossil found at Kew Bridge in London was considered the oldest polar bear specimen.

Top 10 facts about polar bears

• Polar bears are classified as marine mammals.
• A polar bear skin is actually black.
• They can swim constantly for days at a time.
• Less than 2% of polar bear hunts are successful.
• Scientists can extract polar bear DNA from just their footprints.
• They face more threats than climate change.

Why are polar bears important? Polar bears are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall health of the marine environment. For thousands of years, polar bears have also been an important part of the cultures and economies of Arctic peoples.

Why polar bears are so important. Polar bears have a strong cultural significance for Arctic people, and beyond, polar bears are top predators in their food web. Which means they play a vital role in the balance of their ecosystem.

How can you help? We can reduce our energy use now to protect and preserve the sea ice habitat for polar bears and for future generations by reducing the amount that we drive. One way is by joining or setting up a “bike to work” or “bike to school” program in your community.

This is even more astonishing since polar bears are known to actively hunt humans in the wild. If climate change were to lead to their extinction, this would mean not only the loss of potential breakthroughs in human medicine, but more importantly, the disappearance of an intelligent, majestic animal.

Polar bears are stocky, with a long neck, relatively small head, short, rounded ears, and a short tail. The male, which is much larger than the female, weighs 410 to 720 kg (900 to 1,600 pounds). It grows to about 1.6 metres (5.3 feet) tall at the shoulder and 2.2–2.5 metres in length.

Importance of polar bears. Polar bears are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall health of the marine environment. Over thousands of years, polar bears have also been an important part of the cultures and economies of Arctic peoples.

Interesting Unknown facts that you need to know

• Hot water will turn into ice faster than cold water.
• The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows.
• The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
• Ants take rest for around 8 Minutes in 12-hour period.
• "I Am" is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.

They are about seven to eight feet long, measured from the nose to the tip of their very short tail. Male polar bears are much larger than the females. A large male can weigh more than 1,700 pounds, while a large female is about half that size (up to 1,000 pounds).

What You Can Do to Help Polar Bears

1. One way is by joining or setting up a “bike to work” or “bike to school” program in your community.
2. Check for and participate in a “no idling” program in your local community.
3. Together we can ensure vital sea ice habitat remains for polar bears and for other ice-dependent wildlife.