Are polar bears becoming the real bad news bears? Today, Defenders released a new report that takes a look at the status of polar bears in Alaska and the ongoing threats posed by climate change. But while the world’s only marine bear is in serious trouble, the report, Sea Bear Under Siege: Polar Bears and Climate Change in Alaska offers a list of actions that – if undertaken soon – could be the key to saving this Arctic icon.
Karla Dutton, Alaska director for Defenders of Wildlife said, “Warming temperatures are devastating key polar bear habitat. The alarming loss of Arctic sea-ice has negative implications for every aspect of the bears’ lives, from hunting seals to raising cubs. Without help, climate change could be the final straw for the animals in Alaska. As the marine bears turn increasingly to land, our response must be quicker and more ambitious than ever.
“In addition to working to reduce greenhouse gas pollution responsible for climate change, Defenders is exploring measures to keep both polar bears and Alaskans safe as the loss of sea-ice forces the marine mammals farther inland. This includes developing polar-bear-resistant food-lockers for Alaska Native communities, and considering supplemental and diversionary feedings of bears to prevent conflict with humans as bears search for food on land. With bold action, we can prevent polar bears from disappearing from U.S. shores.”
The report, Sea Bear Under Siege: Polar Bears and Climate Change in Alaska, offers an extensive list of actions, among them banking polar bear DNA, supplemental feedings of starving bears and bear-resistant food storage, that should be undertaken to assist these Arctic marine animals. Several of these recommendations are particularly relevant now, as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — the most important onshore denning site for polar bears — celebrates its 50th anniversary and prepares for the future.
With bold action, we can prevent polar bears from disappearing from U.S. shores.
Learn more:
Read Defenders’ new report, Sea Bear Under Siege: Polar Bears and Climate Change in Alaska.
Defenders of Wildlife leads the pack when it comes to protecting wild animals and plants in their natural communities.
I am a Denfenders of the Wildlife member. The great work they are doing to help save and protect our artic wildlife, especially the Polar Bears. How many scientists, defenders, do there have to be that plead to end or reduce dramatically, Greenhouse Gas Pollutions. Thank god we have these great people. They all can’t do this alone. Please take heed and see these animals in their own habitat, study, their DNA, etc.
Thank you
[Reply]
I chanced upon this news item/essay. Frankly I hadnt expected that it had got so worse.THis is clearly tragic. Starving, drowning polar bears on one hand and oil lobbyists on the other.
It would be truly heartbreaking to lose this big furry animal.
[Reply]
Has anyone thought of developing some kind of floating platforms in the Arctic Ocean – maybe made of white plastic or wood – that would allow polar bears to have a few more places to rest and or hunt from? I think ice would coat them, but obviously the frame wouldn’t melt. Good use for recycled plastic, and then haul them away if no longer needed.
[Reply]
Charronne Johnston Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I have tried to suggest the floating platforms as well, but cannot find who to talk to. They are not expensive to build, could be anchored in places that would allow bears resting spots on long swims, and if grouped together, might also provide places for seals to have their pups, as iceflows for nursery areas are also vanishing. These platforms could have posts with radar reflectors attached so they would not become hazards to any ships in the area, and could even have solar powered webcams so that they could be monitored from a distance. An artist like my husband could easily design a platform surface that would visually mimic the ice flows, and with proper construction, these floating islands would also attract underwater marine life. Anyone else out there interested in trying to move this forward to a trial status?
[Reply]
Caitlin Leutwiler Reply:
January 12th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Thanks for your response Charronne! You’re not the only one to suggest the use of floating platforms. Unfortunately, there is no man-made device that could adequately perform the functions of natural sea ice or withstand the Arctic’s dynamic and often harsh conditions. The best thing we can do is to protect remaining habitat for polar bears and their prey and work to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are behind the disappearance of ice in the first place. Read more here: http://www.defendersblog.org/2011/03/the-value-of-sea-ice/
[Reply]