In the Arctic, most industrial development has been on relatively small pieces of land. This is increasingly bringing them into contact with local people in Arctic villages and towns, leading to bears and people being injured or killed in self-defense. Sign up to be kept informed about our conservation work and how you can help such as fundraising, campaigning and events. Without a large-scale reduction in the use of fossil fuels, Arctic warming and its impacts will ultimately impact the polar's bear survival. Staying clean also helps the insulating properties of their fur, so after feeding they will often freshen up by taking a swim or roll in snow. One reason may be that the Refuge coastal plain and northern foothills have more uneven terrain than areas to the west, allowing snow drifts to form more readily. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. With less sea ice, polar bears are forced to stay longer on land. However, an increasing number of bears now spend time on land while they wait for sea ice to form. They use an area extending more than 800 miles along the north coasts of Alaska and Canada. Receive news and offers from our other brands? Black bears are very opportunistic while searching for food. Impressively powerful predators, but they’re at risk from man-made global warming. Spring Polar Bears of Baffin – March & April. During the summer, brown bears feed mainly on greens. The polar bear is perfectly suited to its frigid, icy habitat: They have two layers of fur — glossy, waterproof 'guard' hairs and dense under-fur — and a thick layer of fat — 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) — beneath their skin that helps keep them warm. We are thrilled to be able to provide opportunities to see these majestic animals for guests from around the world. This opportunity lasts only a few weeks, until the calves are too nimble to catch. We love all things polar – and bears are no exception! Adults are strong swimmers – they can swim for several hours to get from one piece of ice to another. Working for WWF has given me the amazing opportunity to work alongside leading polar bear scientists and Inuit who have generously shared their wealth of traditional knowledge.". By helping protect the polar bear, we’re helping to make sure the Arctic food chain stays healthy, for the benefit of wildlife and people in and beyond the Arctic. This is the area that is north of the Arctic Circle, which lies at 66 degrees, 32 minutes North latitude. Biologists are warning that warmer temperatures from climate change are forcing polar bears to swim longer distances to find stable sea ice. Its massive paws are partially webbed, which helps the bear manoeuvre through the ice-filled ocean and swim great distances — up to 300 kilometres at a time. Your email address will not be published. The Arctic is warming about twice as fast as the global average, causing the ice that polar bears depend on to melt away. Sometimes they swim below the ice to hunt, directly in the freezing water. Affected by: Along Alaska's coast, the highest density of polar bear land dens occurs within the Refuge. Black bears are very opportunistic while searching for food. Their thick white coat and a layer of fat keep them warm and camouflaged in their harsh Arctic environment. This northernmost population has remained remarkably stable, however. They are a species that is threatened by global warming. In the spring they feed on new grasses and bulbous roots, switching to ground squirrels, carrion or newborn moose or caribou calves when the opportunities arise. But the main reason they live in these cold areas is that that is where their prey resides. Loss of sea ice also threatens the bear’s main prey, seals, which need the ice to raise their young. | The Arctic provides fish for millions of people, including here in the UK. Those cubs are born helpless and may nurse for two years or longer, but eventually they too will become rulers of the Arctic.

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