The polar bear, an iconic symbol of the Arctic, plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem as the largest land carnivore on Earth. However, it is facing significant threats due to climate change and habitat loss. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed polar bears as a vulnerable species, highlighting the disappearance of sea ice caused by climate change as their greatest threat.
Currently, there are an estimated 26,000 polar bears worldwide. However, if action is not taken to address climate change, we may lose all populations of polar bears except for a few isolated groups by the end of this century. The primary threats faced by polar bears include:
- Climate Change:
This is the most significant threat to polar bears. They rely on sea ice for hunting, breeding, and roaming. However, human-induced climate change is causing the Arctic to warm, leading to the melting of ice. The reduction in ice coverage also means the loss of vital polar bear habitats. With fewer suitable ice platforms, polar bears are forced to travel longer distances, resulting in increased energy expenditure and decreased reproductive success. In some regions, longer ice-free seasons and extended fasting periods have already led to a decline in polar bear numbers. Studies show that without substantial carbon emission reductions and climate stabilization, polar bears may face extinction by the end of this century.
- Commercial Activities:
As transportation becomes more accessible in the Arctic, commercial activities in the region are increasing. These activities include oil and gas exploration and development, shipping, mining, and tourism, each of which has different impacts on polar bears. For example, oil and gas activities not only present spill risks but also have the potential to disturb polar bear mothers and cubs hidden in snow dens, a vulnerable period in their lifecycle.
- Human-Animal Conflict:
As sea ice melts, more polar bears are spending extended periods on land, leading to an expected increase in human-polar bear conflicts. Many coastal communities have already experienced encounters with polar bears, sometimes resulting in tragic outcomes.
- Pollution:
As top predators, polar bears are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of pollutants in their bodies. Toxic substances, such as mercury and persistent organic pollutants, enter the Arctic through long-range transport, contaminating seals, the primary prey of polar bears. These pollutants can cause reproductive issues, immune system suppression, and other health problems.
- Diseases:
Like most bears, polar bears are generally resilient to diseases. However, some viruses have been found in polar bears in Alaska and Russia, and certain parasites, such as trichinella, have infected bears. Scientists are concerned that as human activities increase and species from lower latitudes migrate northward with Arctic warming, more diseases may be introduced.
- Overharvesting:
Unregulated commercial and sport hunting posed the most significant threat to the polar bear's future in the past. However, this impact has been alleviated through international regulations and cautious management. Indigenous communities still have limited quotas for the legal hunting of polar bears. Traditional hunting practices have been integral to indigenous cultural traditions for years and provide important nutritional value in some regions. As we navigate an uncertain future, vigilance is needed to ensure the sustainability of these limited hunting practices.
Due to these reasons, polar bears have been classified as an endangered species. But why do some say there are more bears than ever before?
The global population of polar bears has not increased. After experiencing significant population declines due to uncontrolled hunting in the 1960s, some populations are now recovering. However, the capacity to support growth is declining due to the loss of sea ice habitats in certain areas. As a result, residents in many communities around Hudson Bay have reported seeing more polar bears. These bears are increasingly venturing into food caches and camps, presenting risks to communities and individuals. The observation of "more bears around human activities" is a true reflection of a changing situation that residents in the North have experienced. Western scientific knowledge/evidence indicates a decline in the physical condition of polar bears in the Hudson Bay system, with fewer cubs being born and surviving beyond the first year, resulting in declining population sizes. These two different knowledge/evidence can be easily integrated: as malnourished bears spend more time on land, more bears are taking risks by venturing into human settlements in search of food, leading to an increase in human-polar bear conflicts. This is why more bears are being seen, even though the actual number of polar bears has not increased.
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