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Three polar bear populations (Ursus maritimus) occur in the Russian Arctic: Spitsbergen-Novozemelskaya, Laptevskaya, and Chukchi-Alaska. The status and local condition of each population differs and requires different conservation and management approaches. The Spitsbergen-Novozemelskaya population in the early 1980s had approximately 3,000-6,700 animals. About 1,700-2,000 bears of this population inhabit the Svalbard, Norway, region and are considered by Norwegian specialists as a separate sub-population. No survey data are available to detect changes in population size, although Barents Sea resources were over-harvested during the 1980s. Because of these uncertainties, it has been recommended that this population be placed in the fourth category (undetermined status) in the 'Red Data Book of Animals of the Russian Federation' (Eliseev 1983) when the next issue is published. This status allows use of the population for recreational viewing purposes and for capturing cubs for zoological gardens. The Frans-Josef Land Archipelago has been designated a federal refuge, which protects the polar bear population in the region. Additional protected territories and marine areas in the Novaya Zemlya region are planned and would provide additional protection for the Spitsbergen-Novozemelskaya polar bear population. The Laptevskaya population of approximately 1,000 bears has been stable for decades. The comparatively small size and low density of this population justifies retaining it in the third category (rare status) of the 'Red Data Book of Animals of the Russian Federation' (Eliseev 1983), which provides greater protection than other designations. In the denning areas of this population, the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago and the Novosibirsk Islands, establishing natural protection territories has been recommended. Only recreational use (viewing) of this population is allowed. The Chukchi-Alaskan population numbers several thousand bears and is harvested only by Alaskan native people. A proposal is pending to move this population to the fifth category (restored or rehabilitated status) of the 'Red Data Book of Animals of the Russian Federation' (Eliseev 1983). In Russia, hunting polar bears in this population for subsistence purposes by indigenous peoples is being considered. However, experts propose that legalized hunting be contingent upon elimination of the current illegal hunting that occurs in this region in Russia. For more effective protection of polar bears, it has been recommended that marine areas in the East-Siberian and Chukchi seas be added to the Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve and that an international protected marine area be established in the southern Chukchi Sea.