Let’s hear it for the Polar Bears!
Christmas is fast approaching. With Christmas comes the adverts. One of which is the Polar Bear Coca Cola ad. Another is the Snowman where dancing with polar bears is themed. Big white teddybears and Christmas often go hand in hand as we think snowy white and cuddly.
BUT did you know the Polar Bears, as from May 2008, are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species act. Global warming was the concluded reason. The ecological change in the Arctic causing the threat. Polar bears depend on the sea and ice for hunting and breeding.
There are 5 Polar Bear nations ranging from Russia to Alaska, from Canada to Greenland and onto Norway.
About 60% live in Canada đ
The polar bear Ursus Maritimus is the sea bear đ They are the largest non-aquatic predators. They prey primarily on seals đ Circle of life though
Males weigh 775-1200lbs
Females 330-650
Courtship amongst these gorgeous big bears, is in April and May. The males fight over the waiting females, often so vicious some lose teeth and gain a few bloody scars. The victor mates with his female for a week, impregnating her, though the egg does not develop further until August or September. During this time the female eats and eats. Her weight in readiness for maternity denning and an almost hibernation state, the cubs being born between November and February.
The females usually bear two cubs and cubs usually stay with their moms for up to 2-2.5 yrs. The cubs are born blind and covered in a light down fur, weighing less than 0.9kg. At 2.5 years the cubs are either chased away or abandoned… tough love. Grown up now, develop, find your own partner!! The cubs tend to stay together to face their new world.
Polar Bears rarely live after 25 years, they think its due to the decreased ability to hunt and survive, so die of starvation, but scientists aren’t completely sure. Concerns re the depleting population of the Polar Bear, brought about a change. In 1973 the International Agreement on the conservation of the Polar Bears was signed đ
In 2006 they were placed on the vulnerable species list.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, the Polar Bear is an important indicator of Arctic ecosystem health. There are major grave concerns that global warming and a change in their environment will cause more decline and perhaps even affect their survival….
As mentioned in the World Wildlife Fund blog, one way of helping maintain this beautiful species is adopting a Polar Bear. Great Christmas present đ
For more information on Polar Bears, check out the websites below.
Websites for more information;
www.nationalgeographic.com
www.polarbearsinternational.org
www.wwf.org
