Incredible Species Newsletter - Polar Bears
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Polar Bears ThreatenedDid you know? There are only about 20,000-25,000 polar bears in the world. Canada's Arctic is home to over 60% of them.
Polar ProblemsIn the Arctic, climate change is causing a loss of sea ice. You may be wondering, "Who needs ice?" Well, polar bears need sea ice to hunt. They use ice floes (floating masses of ice) as platforms from which to hunt their favourite food, seals.
Feast or FastHave you ever eaten a large pizza all by yourself? That's a feast! Have you ever forgotten to eat breakfast and forgotten your lunch money all on the same day? That's a fast. Polar bears feast in the winter and fast in the summer. When the ice melts in summer the bears move onto dry land where there is very little to eat. In the past, this wasn't a problem because the bears were able to store enormous amounts of fat over the winter to help them survive the summer. However, scientists have noticed that today's polar bears are about 90 kilos (200 pounds) lighter at the end of the summer than they were 15 years ago. Scientists believe it's because the summer fasting time is getting longer and the winter feasting time is getting shorter. Loss of sea ice is currently the greatest threat to the polar bear's ability to survive. What is Being Done?In September 2009 the Ontario government changed the polar bear's status to "threatened". (A species listed as "threatened" is one that is "likely to become endangered if steps are not taken to address factors threatening it".)
To learn how species are assessed as "at risk" in Ontario, check out this site: A Park for BearsTo help protect polar bears, the Ontario government created Polar Bear Provincial Park. You won't find any play structures or snack bars at this park! In fact, very few humans ever visit the park. Why? It's located in the far north of Ontario, on the western shore of Hudson Bay and about the only way into the park is by plane! There is a plan underway to protect more areas for the polar bears over the next 10 to 15 years.
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The Coolest Camp in the WorldHave you ever dreamed of seeing a polar bear in the wild? Every year, Polar Bears International's Leadership Camp gives top students from around the world the chance to observe polar bears in their natural habitat.
The students are truly passionate about polar bears and use their daily blogs from the trip to spread the message that our help is needed: The bears' sea ice habitat must be saved!
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