One of the many rising problems in today's society is the low population of the Polar bear. During 2008 the United States declared the status of the Polar Bear under the "Endangered Species Act". Approximately 22 500 Polar bears live throughout the "Five Polar bear nations", 60% living in Canada. Russia, Alaska, Greenland, and Norway being the four other Polar bear nations, harboring the 40% of the Polar bear population. With the increase of carbon emissions over the past 50 years, climate change is and has become one of the biggest issue to Polar bear preservers around the world. Polar bears depend on ice for hunting their main diet of seals, breeding, and denning. With Canada's Hudson's bay melting almost 4 weeks earlier in spring than it did 25 years ago, the hunting time for the Polar bears is severely reduced and without the right amount of nutrition in the Polar bears diet, female bears give birth to fewer cubs, and the Polar bears are smaller in stature. Although, the invasive nature of humans has caused the population of Polar bears to decrease, the growth and the continuing survival of the species today would not be possible without Human interaction. Polar bears are protected throughout the five polar bear nations because of WWF and the Polar bear specialist group and many other organizations. Polar bears are renowned for their symbolism for strength and one of the many beauties of the arctic.
The main concern for the Polar bears is their habitat, the ice that is needed for them to survive. WWF, the leader for Polar bear conservation, works to fund field research by the worlds experts on Polar bear condition and figure out the long term effects of climate change towards the Polar bears. WWF works with governments to reduce green house gas emissions and also to protect critical habitat such as; movement trails and denning habitat. Lastly WWF prevents or removes industrial threats from oil development and promote equal/sustainable consumption of the Polar bears.
Ever since the WWF's impact on Polar bears, native tribes surrounding the five Polar bear nations has promised to keep a quota on their Polar bear hunting until the Polar bear population increases. Other Polar bear conservation groups such as the Polar bear specialist group also work for the well being of the Polar bears. Ever since the beginning of the struggle to preserve the Polar bears, Inuit elders over in Nunavut have seen a higher amount of Polar bears roaming the land over the years, showing signs that Polar bear populations are rising. Nevertheless, this is just the first step to the growth of the Polar bear population thanks to the efforts of many people who are willing to make a difference and interact with these symbolic creatures. However, this poses as a wake up call to all of us and to reduce our green house gas emission because we are not only harming ourselves in the process, but also the biodiversity the makes up the beauty of earth.
References
Reference One - Date visited: October 20th 2010
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Reference Five - Date visited: October 20th 2010
Comments
Interesting post, I have been told for many years that Polar bears have the least of its kind (living). However, your information tells otherwise. I was surprised by the substantial amount of polar bears remaining. Compared to other endangered species such as tigers and pandas, the remaining population of polar bears is relatively high. Nevertheless, the survival of the polar bear is still essential to us. I am glad to see the WWF preserving these exceptional creatures. What impresses me the most is the participation of our Native Americans in helping the population of the Polar bears increase. Good post Jefferson, keep it up!
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