Saturday

These in-your-face polar bear pictures are the closest most of us get to one of nature's most powerful predators.

The heart-warming images show the curious white creatures as they investigate the camera held by one brave wildlife photographer - before they jump into the water with him.

Other shots show a male standing upright like a human with its arms outstretched, just like it was waving down a taxi.

The incredible pictures were taken by veteran nature photographer Steven Kazlowski, 43, from New York.

Explaining how he was able to approach the man-eaters without becoming lunch, he said: 'I never got close to them, in fact it was the polar bears themselves that got close to me.

'The young bears were especially interested.'

Requiring months of preparation, Mr Kazlowski's expedition was a far cry from the day trips most wildlife photographers take.

He added: 'I managed to take my pictures by working with native guides. I had to wait for months at a time in a location where I knew there would eventually be animals present.'

Sniffing out the camera: This polar bear sticks its nose right up to the photographer's equipment

The images were taken in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, along the Arctic Coast of Alaska.

But while there are currently around 20,000 wild bears living in the Arctic Circle, their numbers are rapidly falling.

That number could be cut by two thirds by mid century if the Arctic continues to warm due to climate change, as many experts predict.

These incredible images were taken in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, along the Arctic Coast of Alaska

In 2008, the US government declared polar bears an endangered species and banned all American hunters from returning from Canada with their trophies.

Norway is the only country that has banned all hunting for the species, with Russia, Alaska and Greenland allowing native communities to hunt the bears as a food source.
SOURCE

The rare images are the closest most of us get to one of nature's most powerful predators

Up close: Veteran nature photographer Steven Kazlowski, 43, from New York, took these incredible snaps of polar bears in Alaska

Curious creatures: A pair of curious young polar bears take a paddle together in Bernard Spit, Alaska


  






Responses to "Arctic bears get up close in stunning images that show fearsome animal's curious side (Photos)"

  1. Anonymous says:

    Fantastic!
    Amazing!
    Beautiful!

    Thank you for these!

  2. justkat says:

    Simply AMAZING photography to compliment an amazing animal.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Truly incredible shots! Thank you for sharing such amazing photography!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Kudos! What fantastic photos! They all have such personality just in their eyes! I would have loved to be in his place!

  5. Anonymous says:

    Wonderful,Fantastic and beautiful rare photos up close and personal. Well done and you survived.

  6. Anonymous says:

    thanks for sharing photographs of these cute creatures..

  7. RoLaren says:

    Beautiful bears in beautiful photos.

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