Polar bears play hide and seek with photographer

  • 24/08/2018

It's pretty tricky to spot the graceful polar bear in these incredible aerial images.

But despite their ability to camouflage on the ice, the polar bear's habitat, which is crucial for their hunting and survival, is under threat.

Scroll down to reveal where the polar bear is in the photo.

Shot in the north of Canada, wildlife photographer Florian Ledoux observed the creatures on these rapidly-disappearing ice sanctuaries and saw open ice-free fjords with the last ice havens all but gone.

"My images reveal the polar bear's habitat during the summer in Nunavut, and shows the animal leaping between pieces of thin and broken ice which is rapidly shrinking and is due to melt," Mr Ledoux said.

Polar bears' habitats are at risk.
Polar bears' habitats are at risk. Photo credit: Caters News.

Mr Ledoux explained that polar bears rely upon these pieces of ice for hunting, but according to analysis carried out by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, there is real potential for a drop in the polar bear population if sea-ice loss continues due to climate change.

The aerial images also show what looks like the polar bear's home during summer.

"The idea to see polar bears in the wild was in my head since the day I went to the Arctic when I was 11 years old. I did not know I would capture these unique images but I wanted to photograph them from above," Florian said.

"For me, there is no better feeling than being close to those magnificent mammals, sharing a space with them."

The polar bear is circled in yellow.
The polar bear is circled in yellow. Photo credit: Caters News

Florian said he cried when he saw his first polar bear and says now's the time to act to protect these animals.

He hopes these stunning photos will go some way in helping that.

Caters