Polar Wildlife
King penguin guide: species facts and where they live
Learn about the spectacular aquatic flightless bird known as the kind penguin in our expert guide, including essential species facts, diet and habitat. Plus, the mystery of the shrinking colony.
Svalbard wildlife in summer
The Svalbard archipelago lies halfway between northern Norway and the North Pole. A beautiful place any time of year, it is during the summer months when the islands explode with life, especially due the influx of migratory birds.
Iceberg guide: how they form, where they're found, and how they're used by wildlife
Learn more about icebergs in our guide by experts from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Stunning photos of polar bear families in Canada
As winter descends on Wapusk National Park, south of Churchill in Manitoba, Canada, wildlife photographer Daisy Gilardini braves the chill to capture the life and times of an Arctic icon: the polar bear.
New Big 5 wildlife species revealed: what are they and where to see them
Shooting with cameras rather than guns is the idea behind a new international initiative to promote the synergy between wildlife photography and conservation.
Polar bear guide: where they're found, what they eat, and why they're threatened
As the world's largest bear, and largest land carnivore, polar bears are impressive mammals. They are adapted to living in the harsh Arctic environment, and threatened by climate change.
Penguin: A Story of Survival
Emperor penguins raise their chicks in the depths of the most brutal winter on our planet. If it wasn't for the remarkably deep, complex bonds they form, the birds wouldn't stand a chance.
How to watch Penguins: Meet The Family
Liz Bonnin narrates this BBC One programme exploring the 18 species of the penguin family.
Monitoring polar bear dens in the Arctic
On a mission to reduce human-wildlife conflict, one bear biologist has embraced social media to improve the visibility of his study animals.
Wildlife, sustainability, and cruise ship tourism in the Arctic
Cruise ships full of eager tourists are heading to the Arctic, but are these trips raising awareness of our melting ice caps or exacerbating the problem?
Gentoo penguins should be split into four species, rather than two subspecies
A new study into the genes and physical characteristics of gentoo penguins indicates that the two current subspecies should be split into four separate species.
Global Bird Weekend: when it is, and how to take part
Take part in this new global birdwatching event and join naturalists around the world in submitting your bird sightings.
Winners of children's Antarctic stamp competition announced
Four stamps designed by children will become official postage stamps for the British Antarctic Territory.
Children's competition to design a stamp for Antarctica
The British Antarctic Territory is inviting children to design an official postage stamp to celebrate the anniversary of Antarctica's discovery.
Predicting the next wildlife “invasions” heading for Antarctica
A new international study predicts which non-native species are most likely to “invade” Antarctica in the next decade.
Penguin guide: how to identify each species and best places to see
Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins are fascinating to watch – learn all about these spectacular aquatic flightless birds with our expert guide to penguins, including how to identify each species, their diet and best places to see them in their natural habitat.
Emperor penguin colony fails to breed for three years
Emperor penguins at the Halley Bay colony in the Weddell Sea have failed to raise chicks for the last three years.
Researching deep sea wildlife in Antarctica
Biologist William Reid is researching the creatures that live in the deep seas and Antarctica, to find out just how climate change and mining could affect this under-explored and remote environment.
Reindeer are able to maintain their internal clock even during total light or darkness
A new paper shows that periods of polar night and midnight sun have little effect on reindeer circadian rhythm.
When is Spy in the Snow on TV?
The Spy Creatures return again! This time they are revealing the fascinating behaviours of wildlife in the snow, including polar bears, otters, penguins, wallabies and parrots!
Humans have wiped out 60% of wild animals since 1970
The long-term research analysed in the Living Planet Report 2018 shows that habitat loss, exploitation and agriculture has caused population sizes of wild animals to fall by 60 percent globally.
May/June 2019 | Visit the kingdom of the polar bear
Don’t miss out on BBC Wildlife’s trip of a lifetime to Svalbard to see amazing Arctic species amidst stunning scenery with naturalist and TV presenter Nick Baker.
Attenborough research ship is launched
The new ship, named after the broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, will be used for polar research.
What are 'seal-dogs' and what do they do?
Dogs – namely labrador retrievers – have played an important role in ringed seal research, a challenge to carry out on the snowy wastes of Arctic sea ice.