About polar bears
Polar bears, living in the north are the world's largest terrestrial carnivores and are able to adapt quickly to the environment. This is why understanding the changes in a polar bears' behaviour can help us gain and understanding of what is happening to the Arctic and around the world. When something is wrong in an ecosystem or there are physical changes to the world, we are able to see it first in the Arctic because it is one of our most fragile ecosystems.
"There are 19 different polar bear population groups. 8 of those groups are declining, 3 are stable and 1 is increasing. The fate of 7 others is unknown"
- World Wildlife Fund (2011)
- World Wildlife Fund (2011)
Threats
Climate ChangeThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has confirmed that human-induced climate change is a reality. It can no longer be dismissed as a theory. In the Arctic, climate change impacts are being seen earlier and more dramatically than elsewhere in the world. Polar bears have found that there is no where to go because the Arctic Sea ice has been rapidly melting which is not only a concern for the polar bears up north but it is also a indicator of climate change that will affect us.
Hunting
Canada is the only country where hunting polar bears is legal because of the recent increase in the market price for polar bears, the aboriginal people of Canada has tripled its annual hunting quota. From 2007 to 2012, there was a 375% increase in the number and price of polar bear skins offered at an auction. Hunting has caused a decrease in polar populations when our population is already at a maximum amount of 25 000.
Oil Exploration
It is dangerous for companies to drill wells for their oil where polar bears live and because countries want to have their own oil supply, governments are allowing companies to drill wells that could harm the polar bears. Human activity always leaves a footprint no matter how careful they are and oil exploration could cause an oil spill, ice melting or human - polar bear interaction.
Hunting
Canada is the only country where hunting polar bears is legal because of the recent increase in the market price for polar bears, the aboriginal people of Canada has tripled its annual hunting quota. From 2007 to 2012, there was a 375% increase in the number and price of polar bear skins offered at an auction. Hunting has caused a decrease in polar populations when our population is already at a maximum amount of 25 000.
Oil Exploration
It is dangerous for companies to drill wells for their oil where polar bears live and because countries want to have their own oil supply, governments are allowing companies to drill wells that could harm the polar bears. Human activity always leaves a footprint no matter how careful they are and oil exploration could cause an oil spill, ice melting or human - polar bear interaction.