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)

Our Mission
We advance scientific understanding and global conservation of the world’s eight bear species.
Our Vision
We envision a world where all eight bear species can thrive and coexist with humans.

Credit: VCG

What's happening at IBA...

2024-02-26

Win McNeil River Brown Bear Viewing Special Raffle Permits!

Win a trip of a lifetime to McNeil River Bear Viewing with proceeds going to support bear conservation and awareness efforts. Learn more and buy tickets by scanning the QR code. 
2023-12-08

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…
2023-07-17

IBA’s 2024 Conference is confirmed!

Mark your calendars for 15 – 20 September 2024 for IBA’s 28th International Conference onBear Research and Management. The conference will be hosted by Gordon Stenhouse inEdmonton, Canada! As planning preparations unfold, we will…
2023-05-18

Thanks to our friends at Kodiak Cakes and Vital Ground for raising awareness of bears!

Help us help bears with Kodiak Cakes, Vital Ground, and artist Rachel Jung! Back with their Keep it Wild Campaign, Kodiak Cakes partnered with artist Rachel Jung to create exclusive gear to help…

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 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

What is the impact of an IBA grant?

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.

NP

Nandita Patel

Sloth Bear Researcher, India

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.

AP

Anthony Pagano

Polar Bear Researcher, USA

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.

WM

William McShea

Wildlife Ecologist, USA

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)

Credit: sarkophoto

© 2024 International Association for Bear Research and Management.
We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live, work and research across the earth. We recognise their continued custodianship and connection to the land, waters and community. We resepct and honour Elders past, present and emerging. Our hope is that we move forward with open minds listening and learning from their wisdom and knowledge.

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Please Bear with us!

Our new website is under construction

The International Association for Bear Research and Management is currently building a new website packed with features for both the public and members alike. We’re working hard to get these ready for you and will continue to add new material as it becomes available. For now, please excuse the dust while our new website gets constructed.