Polar bears face threats from shrinking Arctic habitat, trophy hunters, gas and oil developements, and toxic pollution.
Polar bears also have one of the lowest reproduction rate of all mammals, making it difficult for populations to recover when they suffer losses.
Here is something a bit on the bright side, a polar bear in Assiniboine Park Zoo is having some dental work done, since he had a broken and infected tooth that was giving him a lot of trouble. He is only 11 months old.