Arctic Treasure

Polar bears are known to be endangered due to melting sea-ice and the resulting disappearance of hunting grounds for their most important prey, bearded- and ringed- seals which give them the fat resources they need. It's less known, however, that the most immediate threat to polar bears comes from legal hunting quota in Canada whose numbers aren't sustainable. Inspired by the work of Ole J Liodden (Polar Bears and Humans), I took an opportunity last August to travel to Svalbard on the expedition ship MS Origo to take photos of the bears on the sea-ice to show their beauty in this melting habitat.