Russia marks the birthday of the polar bear on December 29. This symbolic date was picked because it is approximately when females of the species take to their maternity dens.

Usually, a female polar bear gives birth to one or two tiny cubs that weigh only 500 grammes but gain weight quickly on their mother’s milk. By the time they leave the den between late March and early April they reach about 10 kilogrammes.

The cubs can stay with their mothers up to the age of two and a half. The first year is the most difficult: 30–50 percent of them die in the harsh Arctic environment.

The polar bear is listed in the Russian Red Data Book; hunting polar bears is prohibited in Russia.