On 29 December, ahead of the New Year holiday season, Russia is marking the Birthday of Polar Bears.

Around this time, female bears settle into their lairs, so this symbolic date was chosen for the holiday.

Usually the white bear gives birth to two tiny bear cubs weighing about 600 grams. Three months later, when the cubs leave the lair with their mothers, they will weigh about 10 kilos. 

The cubs can stay with their mothers for up to two and a half years. The first two years of life are the most difficult for the bear cubs. During this time, between 30–50 percent of them die in the harsh Arctic climate.

Polar bears are protected by the Red Data Book, and hunting them is prohibited completely in Russia.