Polar bears are susceptible to climate warming because of their dependence on sea ice, which is declining rapidly. We present the first evidence for a genetically distinct and functionally isolated group of polar bears in Southeast Greenland. These bears occupy sea-ice conditions resembling those projected for the High Arctic in the late 21st century, with an annual ice-free period that is >100 days longer than the estimated fasting threshold for the species. Whereas polar bears in most of the Arctic depend on annual sea ice to catch seals, Southeast Greenland bears have a year-round hunting platform in the form of freshwater glacial mélange. This suggests that marine-terminating glaciers, although of limited availability, may serve as previously unrecognized climate refugia. Conservation of Southeast Greenland polar bears, which meet criteria for recognition as the world’s 20th polar bear subpopulation, is necessary to preserve the genetic diversity and evolutionary potential of the species. A new hope Polar bears are one of the most mentioned—and iconic—potential victims of climate change. Most polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt, so the current and predicted reductions in sea ice occurrence and persistence are likely to have major impacts on their survival. Laidre et al . describe the discovery of an isolated population of polar bears from southeastern Greenland that is much less reliant on sea ice, instead existing at the terminal end of a glacier and relying on resources from this glacial-freshwater mélange (see the Perspective by Peacock). Discovery of this population suggests both that such environments might serve as refugia for polar bears and that conservation of this new population is essential. —SNV A newly described population of polar bears in southeastern Greenland suggests the potential for climate refugia.