The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a carnivorous mammal that lives in icy areas of the northern hemisphere. It is characterized by a white coat that allows it to adapt to its icy habitat, it is an excellent swimmer and spends most of its life submerged in the frozen waters of the Arctic, where it is estimated to have been found around 120,000 years ago.
In recent decades, the situation of the polar bear has generated controversy because it is in critical danger of disappearing. In the following article on our site we will detail why the polar bear is in danger of extinction and we will explain how you can contribute to improve the serious situation in which it finds itself.
Polar Bear Characteristics
Although it may not seem like it at first glance, Polar bear fur is black Studies reveal that it serves to capture the sun's rays and avoid thus heat loss during winter. Therefore, this accumulation of light is what allows its fur to shine white.
The legs of this species are more developed compared to other bears, which allows it to walk and move between great distances with ease on the snow. It also has an elongated snout and an extra layer of body fat that allows it to withstand low temperatures.
In terms of size, the male polar bear is over 2 meters long and weighs 500 kilograms, while females only reach 250 kilograms.
As for its diet, we are talking about a carnivorous animal, although it also eats a minimal amount of vegetables during the arctic summer. Despite its great ability to move in the water, the polar bear captures its prey on land or on the ice, being seals, belugas and other marine animals their favorite prey.
Consumes about 30 kilos of food a day and does not drink water, since the water found in its habitat is s alty and acidic, so it extracts the liquid it needs to survive from the blood of its prey.
Why is the polar bear endangered?
According to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) [1], in 2015 the Ursus maritimus rose in category as far as its conservation is concerned. Thus, the majority of populations that currently exist survive in a state of vulnerability caused by the drastic decline in their population. Part of the problem lies in hunting, which has been practiced on polar bears for decades. It is currently prohibited in certain countries, however, in Canada and Russia it is still a legal practice that takes advantage of hunting tourism, local hunters and certain populations, such as the Inuit.
Apart from hunting, another great threat to the polar bear is global warming, especially when we talk about the accumulation of pollutants in the ice and in the atmosphere of the arctic soil that causes its melting. These facts have drastically reduced the habitable surface of the bears, so that their habitat is being lost at an alarming rate. If, in addition, these individuals do not travel after completing their fat reserves, it is likely that they will suffer from difficulties in reproducing, which means that their populations do not increase.
On the other hand, the consequences of the advance of the oil industry in the northern hemisphere cannot be ignored. Exploitation has caused significant destruction of the habitat shared by this and many other species.
In addition to the above causes, we found other threats that are causing the polar bear to be in danger of extinction:
- Non-native invasive species and diseases.
- Development of tourism, commercial and industrial areas.
How many polar bears are left in the world?
Most polar bears live in Alaska, Greenland, and Siberia, so many would think they are far from the big cities and, therefore, from the terrible effects of pollution. However, the current situation is so serious that it has managed to reduce the number of specimens of these animals to the point of being considered an endangered species.
According to the IUCN, the polar bear is a mammal that is in the vulnerable category on its Red List of threatened species. This organization confirms that it is very likely that the polar bear population will reduce by more than a third in the next 35 or 40 years.
On the other hand, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are only about 20,000polar bears left on the planet, which concludes that, if the situation continues, there will be no specimen at the end of the century.
How can we prevent the extinction of the polar bear?
To combat the alarming situation in which polar bears find themselves and prevent their extinction, it is necessary to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle Climate change and habitat destruction for these animals can only get better if humans contribute.
If you are interested in contributing to a better world and saving the polar bear, follow these simple tips:
- Reduce car use: This measure will reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that are thrown into the atmosphere due to the use of fuel, which helps reduce global warming.
- Save electricity and gas: This activity will reduce both carbon dioxide emissions and the destruction of polar bear habitat, as that one of the reasons why the species is threatened is the exploitation of the resources found in the northern hemisphere.
- Collaborate with organizations that fight for conservation: Whether one-off or prolonged, your collaboration will help raise awareness, fight and transmit a message as important as that of preserving the environment and nature, which are directly related to animals.
To stop climate change, a global change is needed at the governmental and political level. Environmental agreements must be established and the cessation of exploitation activities must be guaranteed. However, with small actions it is also possible to contribute to the global mentality moving towards a more respectful and sustainable one. Only then can true change occur.
Are there conservation plans for the polar bear?
No, no polar bear conservation plan has currently been approved to prevent its extinction. Yes, there are organizations that have proposed various actions to protect these animals and, in general, all those who live in the Arctic, such as Greenpeace. The melting of the Arctic is not only negative for the species that inhabit it, but its consequences are global because it would increase the probability of the development of meteorological phenomena.
Among the different measures that Greenpeace proposes to save the Arctic and, with it, the polar bears and other animals also in danger of extinction, are the creation of marine sanctuaries in order to help marine fauna to recover more quickly.
