AMERICAN BLACK BEAR
BROWN BEAR
SUN BEAR
POLAR BEAR
ANDEAN BEAR
ASIATIC BLACK BEAR
GIANT PANDA
SLOTH BEAR
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- A message from our President
Supporting scientists, managers and conservation
From humble beginnings in 1968, the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) has grown into a thriving community of bear biologists, managers, technicians, educators, and conservationists. We have approximately 500 members in over 40 countries, and receive assistance from donors, partner organizations and non-members as well.
IBA impacts bear conservation through conferences, publications, grants, and our website. Our efforts focus on supporting our members’ work and helping train the next generation of bear professionals. Please help us to help bears by making a donation to IBA, your support is vital to the continued success of our organization.
We’ll be rolling out new features to our brand new website over the coming weeks, so please check back soon for updates.
John Hechtel – IBA President
FAST FACTS
Species: Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Giant Panda)
Location: Minshan Mountains, China (33°38’N 103°36’E)
Wild Population: Estimated 1,864 individuals
IUCN Status: Vulnerable (VU)
We advance scientific understanding and global conservation of the world’s eight bear species.
We envision a world where all eight bear species can thrive and coexist with humans.
Credit: VCG
- News and Events
What's happening at IBA...
Conference registrations are now open
Registration for the 2024 conference is now open! IBA members automatically receive discounted registration fees and all registrations before May 31st 2024 will receive an additional early-bird discount.
Early registrants will also have an opportunity to attend the 2024 Edmonton IBA Conference for FREE with our registration raffle! If you have registered for the conference and booked your accommodation at one of our two partner hotels by January 31st 2024, your name will automatically be entered into a random draw and the lucky winner will receive one free conference registration. The winner will be notified within 2 days of the draw and also announced here on our conference website.
Capacity for the 2024 conference is limited, so click below to see ticket pricing, learn more about what’s included and secure your spot now.
Conservation Candy and IBA work together to help bears
IBA has teamed up with Conservation Candy to raise money and awareness for bear conservation with everyone’s favorite candy, gummy bears. Donating at least 10% of their annual net-profits to IBA, Conservation Candy is a small, independent, mission-driven company dedicated to making vegan, USDA Organic treats free of palm oil and corn syrup. Each package is made with post-consumer recycled materials and features a unique bear fact to educate consumers in hopes of bringing them closer to the animals we’re helping to protect. Visit the Conservation Candy website to get your gummy bears to help bears around the world!
- 28th IBA Conference - September 2024
From its establishment in 1968, the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) has been the leading organization for those involved in bear research, conservation and management. A big part of that success is due to our annual conference, where members and non-members have an opportunity to socialize and share research across a variety of bear-related fields.
It is with great pleasure that we advise the 28th IBA conference will be held in September 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, under the theme “Co-existing with Bears on Dynamic Landscapes.”
Please click on the button below to visit our new dedicated conference website, where you can register, submit abstracts and learn more about the program.
Credit: Sepp Friedhuber
Donate
IBA is an non-profit professional society with members from over 45 different countries who dedicate their time to protecting bears. Small and large donations alike collectively fund IBA’ programs including grants for frontline work for bears, our peer-reviewed journal (URSUS) and global conferences. Please consider supporting our work by donating today.
FAST FACTS
Species: Ursus maritimus (Polar bear)
Location: Northern Beaufort Sea, Canada (77°24’N 120°15’W)
Wild Population: Estimated 26,500 individuals
IUCN Status: Vulnerable (VU)
- Membership Advantages
Membership in the IBA benefits bear researchers, managers, students and conservationists alike. The IBA offers connectivity with peers, professional meetings, publications, and updated information and news pertaining to bears and bear projects worldwide. Membership entitles you to receive International Bear News, and access to our peer-reviewed journal Ursus. It is the most comprehensive publication dedicated specifically to bear research and management. Other membership benefits include various discounts during our international conferences, and voting privileges.
Bear
Conservation
Fund
Do you want to help support research that provides scientific information for protecting the world’s 8 bear species? Whether you want to donate $5.00 or $5,000 dollars, any amount helps! Learn more about how to protect bears through our donation program. We thank you for your support!
Credit: Joe Riis
I cannot in words convey how thankful I am to IBA and the donors for the grant. This grant in one way or other brought me closer to my dream of working for the bear conservation and helped me in assessing opportunities and challenges for human-sloth bear coexistence.
Nandita Patel
The IBA Research and Conservation Grant provided vital startup funds for my PhD research that helped me to meet with collaborators and laid the foundation toward the success of this project, which is examining the effect of climate change on polar bear behavior.
Anthony Pagano
The IBA grant allowed us to influence the direction of planning by the Chinese government to survey Asiatic black bears. We were able to recruit and support international participation in both their economic and ecology teams with the help of IBA funds.
William McShea
FAST FACTS
Species: Ursus arctos (Brown bear)
Location: McNeil River, Alaska (59°07’N 154°16’W)
Wild Population: Estimated 110,000 individuals
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
MEMBERS
Credit: sarkophoto