The threats to polar bears
Threats to the Polar Bear
Climate Change
Hunting
Pollution
Oil Exploration
Protection
Reflection
References
The polar bear-walking on thin ice
Polar bear sub-populations. It shows how in many areas the populations are declining
About The polar bear
The polar bear is the largest land carnivore.
They spend the majority of their thirty year lives on sea ice in the arctic circle (Norris et al., 2002).
On this ice they will hunt their main food source, seal, and breed (WWF, 2016a).
The inhabit Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russian and the USA.
The polar bear is currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN (WWF, 2016a).
The current population is estimated to be 20-25,000 and is in decline (WWF, 2016a).
This is shown in the photo to the left.
There is only one area where the population is increasing, however there are vast areas where there is insufficient data.
This has negative impacts to the arctic ecosystem as the polar bear is at the top of thee food chain.
Low populations mean there is less control on species lower down the food chain, unbalancing the entire ecosystem.
WWF site on the polar bear
Last updated: 31st April 2016
Threats to the Polar Bear
Climate Change
Hunting
Pollution
Oil Exploration
Protection
Reflection
References