Human influence & |
-Programs for Polar Bear Rehabilitation |
Human influence Humans have influenced the polar bears through their disrespectful and disgusting abuse of the earth. Through human inventions such as cars and industries, global warming has arisen which has raised the temperature of the earth (National Wildlife Federation, 2010). Global warming is caused from greenhouse gasses which us humans produce in an exponential amount. Due to the always increasing greenhouse gasses, the earth is predicted to keep getting warmer thus furthermore melting more ice. The continues melting of ice will make the polar bears go from endangered to extinct if their habitats are not preserved (Polar Bear International, 2014).
Polar bears live in a very specific harsh snowy and cold environment with lots of ice, but due to temperature rising, lots of ice has begun to melt. Due to the ice melting the polar bears have lost their area for hunting, reducing food opportunities (WWF, 2012). By reducing food opportunities cannibalism and intraspecific competition rises which furthermore decreases the polar bear population. As the human population rises so does the amount of greenhouse gasses that are produced, they are directly proportional. The more the population increases so does the amount of consumption of cars, factories, and industries. The humans respiratory system relies on breathing in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, thus the more people there are the more carbon dioxide there is being produced. Greenhouse gasses are good at capturing the infrared radiation warming the earth ( Polar Bear International, 2014). Other human factors are illegal or legal harvest of polar bears but, Native people are supported in their traditional harvests. Conflicts also occur when ice melts and polar bears retreat to nearby environments where the human population inhabits. When polar bears cross into human territory this is dangerous for both the polar bear and the people of that area. There are people who safely remove the bear and put it in an area of control (area designed for that species). Another human factor can be tourism, with many people visiting certain provincial parks during specific seasons may affect the bears habitat (WWF, 2012). Humans also contribute to many industrial impacts such as oils spills, noise, and disturbance due to many offshore petroleum installations that are expanding. These installations would highly disturb the polar bears with noisy operations and oil spills (Polar Bear International, 2014). Conservation biology 1. Polar Bear Alert Program in Churchill, Manitoba
-the polar bears that are on the beaches of Hudson Bay during the warm seasons due to the ice melting. -if a polar bear exits the area designed for them and moves towards human populated areas, they are moved out to ensure their protection. -this program looks after both the polar bear needs as well as the people's needs in that area. -this website provides technics on how to act and what to do when people do encounter a polar bear. -this program is most active in the summer due to ice having melted and polar bears retreating into the mainland. (Manitoba Alert, 2010). 2. World Wildlife Fund -brings attention and looks after the habitat of polar bears. -provides fundraisers for polar bear programs. -outlines reasons why polar bears are endangered. -outlines their work as well as the programs that they run such as reducing conflict in countries where there is tension between polar bears and humans through relocating polar bears into safer regions, further from the human population. -Coca-cola is a major donator to this cause and has used polar bears as commercial advertisements for their product. -Coca-cola has become partners with WWF, thus have agreed to be part of the Climate Savers Program, therefore, they have confirmed that they will be in the fight to reduce Greenhouse gas productions. (WWF, 2012). - WWF shares the information about polar bears in this video.
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What does global warming do to a polar bear?
1) Reduced arctic habitat due to melting of ice.
2) Increased drowning rates due to loss of ice. 3) Increased cannibalism due to a lower ability to reach food sources. 4) Decreased cub survival due to food sources decreasing as well as condition of the mother. 5) Drops in body conditions due to food as well as denning. (ALL LEAD TO DROP IN POPULATION) (WWF, 2012). 3. Polar Bear International
-provides petitions for saving polar bears and how this can be done through programs that they outline which are international. -you can watch polar bears live through cameras. -adoption for polar bears is available which is fundraisers where the money is used to restore the polar bear community. -Save Our Sea Ice is a program that Polar Bear International runs that affects the polar bears hunting ground which is ice. (Polar Bear International, 2014). - this video posted by Polar Bear International outlines why ice is so important to polar bears.
4. National Wildlife Federation - brings attention to many endangered animals and safeguards them. -restores lost and damaged habitats. -advocates for conservation. - has programs for children, so that future generations understand the importance of species. -provides all information on species that is endangered. -provides fundraising for these animals to restore them. (National Wildlife Federation, 2010). Other then these prevention groups there are provincial parks that keep these animals safe through animal laws (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, 2009).
Polar bears were enlisted as an endangered species by the United States in 2008 because of the changing climate that is affecting the polar bears source of food (WWF, 2012). |