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Polar bears, those majestic icons of the Arctic, are indeed facing significant challenges due to climate change.

Let’s delve into the science behind their struggle:

Dependence on Sea Ice:

Polar bears rely heavily on sea ice for their survival. It serves as a crucial platform for hunting seals, which are their primary food source.

However, rising temperatures have led to a decline in Arctic sea ice extent. Since 1979, the ice cover has diminished for every month of the year1.

As the ice melts, polar bears find it harder to hunt, mate, and rest.

Adaptation Efforts:

These resilient creatures have tried to adapt by:

Foraging on Land: When ice is scarce, some polar bears search for vegetation or berries on land.

Swimming Longer Distances: They swim in search of prey, but swimming is more energy-intensive than walking.

Unfortunately, these strategies have limited success. A study in western Manitoba found that during ice-free summer months, most bears lost body mass, with some losing up to 11% of their weight, averaging about one kilogram per day1.

Longer Ice-Free Seasons:

The ice-free season has extended by three weeks between 1979 and 2015 in some regions1.
As the Arctic experiences longer ice-free periods, polar bears face increased challenges in finding sufficient food.

Population Decline:

Despite legal protections and efforts to increase their numbers, polar bears are still at risk.

Scientists project that as sea ice continues to diminish, polar bear populations will decline further.

In summary, the plight of polar bears is real. Their struggle to find food amidst melting ice underscores the urgent need for global action to combat climate change and protect these magnificent creatures and their fragile habitat21.

Source: weforum.org, environewsnigeria.com, ecoportal.net, siliconrepublic.com, scientificamerican.com, scied.ucar.edu,gettyimages.com
Image source: Shutterstock

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