Considered one of the most recognizable if not one of the most celebrated animals in this century is the Polar Bear. These magnificent bears have captured the hearts of millions and have been a constant face in international documentaries, movies, magazines, and zoos. So why are scientists predicting that this majestic animal will be gone within a century?
For a while polar bears were constantly killed for trophies. Humans also moved into the polar bear’s habitat limiting the space that these large bears need. Fortunately many countries have set up hunting restrictions and have set aside land just for the bears.
Another factor affecting these bears is pollution. It contains high levels of chemicals that affect the bear’s immune system. Some of the effects include reproductive failure and malformed organs. They ingest the majority of the foreign chemicals from the seals they eat out in the wild that have been affected as well as the bears.
Although all the factors above contribute to the polar bear's demise none is more effective than global warming. Global warming is the increase of earth’s average temperature of the atmosphere and oceans over time. The polar bear’s climate is getting warmer and warmer. The heat is melting away ice sheets which prevent the bears from traveling in search of food. Already many of these bears have literally starved to death.
Ways people can help the bears:
· Recycle and Reuse
· Continue to give the bears enough space
· Keep the environment free of pesticides and toxic chemicals
For more information on how YOU can help please visit http://corbinmaxey.com/http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/polarbear/polarbear.html