Massive and beautiful, great white Polar Bears are the largest of all bear species in the world - and they're also the youngest known bear species. Though these bears are mighty hunters, they are among the most vulnerable mammals on the planet. Scientists estimate that a full two thirds of the world's polar bear population could be extinct by the year 2050 if global warming continues to melt the Arctic sea ice habitat they depend on for survival, and the remainder could be extinct by the end of the 21st century. These bears are more than magnificent icons - they are important predators. Here, we'll take a look at the threats polar bears face, and consider some important measures to save them, and other arctic species, from extinction.
Polar Bears and Threats the Species Faces
The polar bear (Ursus Maritimus) is born on land, but spends most of its time at sea, hunting seals and living off body fat reserves for as long as eight months at a time when sea ice has melted to the point where hunting is impossible. These bears are classified as a vulnerable species. There are nineteen polar bear sub-populations worldwide, and eight of these are in decline. For decades, the main threat polar bears faced was large scale hunting; large organized hunts caused the species to decline, though indigenous people in the Arctic have relied on the bears for thousands of years as an important resource for their cultural, material, and spiritual lives with no adverse impact.
Polar bears are found throughout the Arctic Circle and into Newfoundland; IUCN estimates there are between 20,000 and 25,000 polar bears alive today. Their range includes territory belonging to Norway, Denmark, Russia, Canada, and the United States, all of which have signed the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar bears, which provides for cooperative research and conservation efforts across the bears' range.
Unfortunately, polar bears are dying at an unprecedented rate. Some trophy hunting groups are still permitted to hunt them, and many are simply drowning as they must swim further and further to reach solid ice pack where they can hunt seals. Some wander into villages, where they consume garbage and threaten humans; if they are lucky enough to escape being shot, they often die after having consumed plastics, antifreeze, and other garbage. When desperate, polar bears sometimes turn to cannibalism; when trapped on barren stretches of land, they often starve to death.
In addition to problems caused by global warming, polar bears are seeing their habitat destroyed by oil and gas drilling - just one more reason it is vital that we work toward enacting green energy policies and eliminating the pollution that threatens our planet's health. Scientists have proven that human activity is having a negative impact on our planet, yet many choose to ignore the facts. It is not too late to make changes that could turn the current problems facing polar bears and other species around. By making responsible decisions, petitioning elected officials and other heads of state, and educating people about the interconnectedness of all life, you can help make a difference.