In a solitary iceberg, the silent killers are now dying.
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus)- known as strong swimmers and lone predators- now experience extinction due to the increase rate of global warming and unlawful hunting. Sea ice in the North Pole has been the major habitat of polar bears for all their essential behaviors including feeding, mating, traveling, and maternity denning (Biological Diversity). Sad to say, the ice melts in a tragic amount so rapidly. Because the polar bears are totally dependent on the ice for survival, they stand to become the first mammals in the world to lose 100 percent of their habitat. In fact, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) added the polar bear to its Red List of the world's most imperiled animals, predicting a 30 percent reduction of the bear's population in the next 45 years (Wildlife), and proposed to list the polar bear as threatened under Endangered Species Act by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Loss of Arctic snow pack leads to higher energy requirements to locate prey and a shortage of food. As the ice retreats, the ocean transports more heat to the Arctic and the open water absorbs more sunlight, further accelerating the rate of warming, and thus leading to the loss of more ice (M. Holland). This causes higher mortality among cubs and adult males. When large portion of sea ice gone out from the North Pole's map, that connotates absolutely zero population of polar bears. Because sea ice is the only safe and appropriate place for the eight to nine month hibernation of polar bears, especially the pregnant ones.
However there is another factor that perishes polar bears- the great desire of people to hunt and trade them. Since prehistoric times and until now, humans have hunted bears for their meat, bone, sinew, fur and fat. Some favorite ornaments of primitive tribes include teeth and claws (E. Sentman). Also, bear gall bladders are used in traditional medicines in some Asian countries and sell them for thousands of dollars each. Exportation of polar bear parts stimulates demands in foreign markets, and increased demands leads to increased poaching and illegal trade, which would be rampantly detrimental to this species (HSUS).
Global warming could already be having negative impact on polar bears. In Canada's Hudson Bay, numbers of this species have been declining (Canadian Wildlife Services). Ice on the bay is melting an average of three weeks earlier than in the mid-1970s which results to the thinning of ice from about 12 feet to less than 3 feet. This forces polar bears to retreat further inland before they have been able to replenish their reserves of fat by feeding on seal pups, which live on ice. Scientists can already document 15 percent drop in birth rates (United Nations).
Another major threat is human-caused mortality. Some bears are attracted by unsecured garbage and animal carcasses (Defenders). This can eventually lead to conflicts between people and bears and lethal removal of the bear. Scientific studies suggest that these extraordinary loads of chemicals are weakening polar bears, culling the old and the young. Their immune cells and antibodies have been suppressed, and their sex and thyroid hormones, and even their bone compositions have been altered. And perhaps most curious of all, small numbers of strange pseudohermaphroditic bears have been discovered. Of every 100 female bears captured on Svalbard, three or four have partial male genitalia (Motherjones news).
In September 2004, government scientists' observed 55 polar bears swimming offshore in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, an unprecedented spike and four of those bears died. In a separate study that year, federal scientists identified three instances near the Beaufort Sea in which polar bears ate one another (Washington Post). This is due to the scarcity of patch of sea ice because they are not accustomed to going long distance; although they can swim faster that's why they have to do the survival of the fittest strategy.
It must be a warning to everyone that what is happening to the polar bears is all because of our negligence and abuse to the environment. Had not people burn garbage containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), toxic chemicals, flame retardants and pesticides that repeatedly evaporate and melt the sea ice, polar bears would have experience the humane treatment they need to survive. From polluting power plants and vehicle emissions in the Midwest to auto manufacturers, a vast array of industries may have to clean up their acts to give the polar bear a chance for reproduction (J. Eilperin).
Although restrictions were passed to protect polar bears from mistreatment, we still have to do little measures to maintain their life. One way is by supporting an amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to repeal the provision allowing the import of the polar bears into the United States. It could be done also by expressing ones disapproval of oil and gas exploration in polar bear territory, particularly in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Another step as an individual is by reducing the personal energy use and by advocating for legislative action on global warming at the federal, state and local levels. Lastly, by filing a petition to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to stop the hunting of polar bear for sport and trophy. If this persists, other countries will allow trophy hunting including the United States.
To inform every one of the total extinction polar bears will face probably in 2040 (NCAR news), all must learn to avoid speeding up global warming and unlawful hunting. Yes, it's true that the Endangered Species Act offers no instant remedy, for it requires intense cooperation between the government and the people as well. Prevention is better than cure, at least.
