Hunting of polar bears must be banned if species has any chance of survival, expert warns » Focusing on Wildlife

Awarding-winning wildlife photographer and conservationist Ole Liodden, who has spent four years working on a project to highlight their plight, also told how hunters target the healthiest, strongest males, which leaves only the weakest individuals to pass on their genes.

Explaining the allure of the species, he told the Mirror: “The polar bear is one of the most exclusive species for trophy hunters to pursue. But it is the mammal species least suitable because of low cub survival, low reproduction rate, and climate change.

There are 20,000-25,000 polar bears left in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund. But that number could be cut by two thirds by mid-century if the Arctic continues to warm, and they are “vulnerable” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List.