Description and
Ecology
Ursus
maritimus is this beautiful creature’s scientific name; it means sea bear. Polar bears are a species that is dependent
upon ice. They hunt for seals and raise their young upon this ice. Polar bears have
a thick layer of fat on their back to ensure warmth in the cold arctic. They also have strong paws and claws to help
them not only on land, but also in the water. Their fur is extremely dense and made up of an
insulating underfur. It is understood
that polar bears have evolved from a common ancestor of a brown bear. As time
went on and these bears traveled north, they had to adapt to this extremely
cold weather as well as hunting seal. To sum it up, polar bears were created to not
only survive, but to also thrive in the arctic.
Photo credit- https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/destinations/polar-bears-svalbard/
Geographic and
Population changes
The
current global population for these fascinating creatures is at an estimated
22,000 to 31,000. According to
worldwildlife.org, “…polar bears in northeast
Alaska and the Northwest Territories…documented a 40 percent population loss
between 2001-2010 from 1,500 to 900 bears.” The origin of the population decline of polar bears was unregulated hunting by European,
Russian and American hunters and trappers from the 1600's to the mid-1970's. As reported in the recovery plan, two populations were
increasing, five populations were stable, five were declining and five populations were
data-deficient.
Listing Date and Type of Listing
Polar
bears are included in the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This act also protects other marine mammals
and the harassment, killing and capturing of them. Their listing date was May 15, 2008. Polar bears are listed as a threatened
species, and their listing applies wherever they are found. A threatened species is a species that falls
into the 'vulnerable to extinction' categories of the IUCN system. According to the textbook, An Introduction
to Conservation Biology, the authors wrote, “Under the US Endangered
Species Act, refers to species at risk of extinction, but at a lower risk than
endangered species.”
Significant
Threats
Polar
bears are listed as a threatened species due to the ongoing issue of global
warming and the detrimental effects of it.
The species is continuing to lose more of their habitat by reason of increased temperatures.
According to worldwildlife.org, “The summer sea ice has been decreasing
in size for decades and melting for longer periods of time. Bears must move
longer distances to stay with the rapidly receding ice.” Climate change has also forced polar bears to
stay onshore for longer periods of time, which increases the likelihood of
polar bear-human conflict. Offshore
petroleum installations also have serious affects on polar bears such as contact
with spilled oil. An oil spill would not
only affect the bears but could spread throughout the Arctic. Although hunting of the species is illegal,
there are still some areas where unreported hunting takes place. So, the main threat to the continued existence
of polar bears is global warming.
Photo credit- https://sciencing.com/how-does-polar-ice-melting-affect-the-environment-13400295.html
Recovery Plan
The recovery plan for polar bears includes six fundamental goals. Goals
one through three emphasize the long-term persistence on geographic scales. This persistence must be secured globally, in
the state of Alaska, and on an intermediate scale. Goal four is associated with the cultural needs
of native people, and their use of polar bears for food. Goal five is human safety in sync with the conservation
of polar bears. And finally, goal six
seeks to minimize restrictions such as economic development in areas where
polar bear populations exist. The United
States, Canada and Russia all work in harmony to keep this recovery plan alive
and in action. If polar bears experience
improved climate in their habitat paired with better ice conditions, the
species has the potential to become de-listed as a threatened species under the
Endangered Species Act. 
Photo credit- https://phys.org/news/2014-11-polar-key-region.html
What can you do?
After
hearing all this terrible information and threats to the existence of polar
bears, you may be thinking, well what can I do to help this situation? The most important thing you can do is reduce your use of carbon and other polluting gases. This is something
everyone can do to not only help polar bears, but to help other endangered
species. Here are some other things you
can do to help:
1)
Use your car less
2)
Use energy efficient light bulbs
3)
Recycle more!!! Try to use products that use less
packaging
4)
Turn off electronics when not using them
5)
Vote for politicians who support acting on global
warming!!
We all know of these beautiful, strong creatures so
why not do something little to help make a change? Reduce your carbon footprint!
Citations
Since petroleum installations can threaten the species, I wonder if there is any work being done to prevent installations or create limits to new installations. -James Yates
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the polar bear’s population decline was such a dramatic difference between 2001 and 2010. It’s both fascinating and terrifying how quickly a common animal can start disappearing. I wouldn’t have guessed that hunting and trapping was a big factor of this species’ decline in population. The fact that this hunting was not regulated just shows how important regulation on the exploitation and hunting of wildlife is. I figured that the current main cause for the polar bear’s loss in population was caused by climate change, but I had no idea that the rate of population loss was so rapid. Believe that with enough effort, this species’ populations can be recovered and maintained.
ReplyDelete-Kellie Williams
Like Kellie, I was completely shocked to hear about a 40% decline in only 9 years. I would like to hope that we, as a species, have learned from our mistakes and can now make a much better effort at reducing our personal and global carbon footprint. It would be amazing to see the polar bear's natural habitat return to the state it was in hundreds of years ago. -Hope Young
ReplyDeleteI have always admired polar bears and their incredible strive to live in such a harsh environment. Similar to Kellie, I was surprised to learn that part of their population loss is due to trapping. That is uncommon knowledge to many I think as most of their population decline is due to global warming. It breaks my heart when I see images of starving polar bears and like Hope, I would love to see their habitat restored. - Emily White
ReplyDeleteEven though I knew before how rough their environment is, I was shocked to hear about this species huge decline. I hope the efforts are full-fledged! -Max Tannenwald
ReplyDeleteThe description and ecology of the Polar Bear was very well written and easily conveyed the struggles the polar bear faced. I think its imperative that we do everything we can to save these incredible animals and your “what can you do” section clearly laid out important and helpful information. -Nick Vollucci
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad that these creatures are in peril! It is crazy how my actions and carbon footprint here in San Luis Obispo can effect a creature hundreds of miles north. Morgan your list of things I can do to help Polar Bears is very good! -Rick Taggesell
ReplyDeleteOne of the threats you mentioned that I wasn't aware of were oil spills and how they are detrimental to other forms of wildlife in the Arctic as well. I also didn't know that locals hunt these creatures for food. Getting the locals to find other means of food in the Arctic will definitely help Polar Bear populations. -Jason Wahlund
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Sarah Palin thinks that listing the Polar Bear as endangered will not provide protection to the bear. It will raise awareness on the threats you talk about and provide awareness. Fun fact! They have clear fur - not white! The white is from their skin and the ice around them! - AUSTIn WhaleY
ReplyDeleteI am so worried about how climate change will affect the polar bear, when you mentioned that as a threat I thought of the Grolar Bear article. I think you used a great image at the beginning and I really thought you made the threats clear. Gabe Worthington
ReplyDelete