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Chukchi Sea Polar Bears
Here's a bright spot of news about one of the 19 polar bear populations, at least for now:
A new study of the remote Chukchi Sea polar bears, shared by Russia and Alaska, shows that their body condition and reproductive rates have held stable or slightly increased over the past 20 years. What a difference from the adjoining Southern Beaufort Sea population, which has experienced recent drops in condition and survival.
"The findings are exactly in line with our predictions," says Dr. Steven C. Amstrup, PBI's chief scientist. "We hypothesized that, due to geographic differences, some populations would do better than others, at least temporarily-and this gives us hope that we'll be able to address man-made climate change in time to prevent the extinction of the species."
So why are the Chukchi Sea bears faring better than their neighbors? Amstrup, who led polar bear research in Alaska until 2010, explains that as the sea ice changes, regional variations hold the key. Some formerly unproductive areas with thick, multi-year ice, for example, might temporarily see improved hunting conditions as the sea ice thins. But without action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, polar bears in those areas will eventually face the same challenges as those experiencing declines.
Visit our website to learn more about the Chukchi Sea study and the habitat differences in the Arctic's four sea ice regions.
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Calling all Students!
Know any eco-minded kids, age 11-18? Here's their chance to put their passion to work for polar bears!
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Guest Post:
A Tale of Two Bears
The Challenges of a Changing Climate
Polar bears from the three populations that inhabit Hudson Bay are faced with the same ecological problem: the sea ice melts completely in early summer every year, forcing them ashore for four to five months, during which time they largely live off stored fat reserves until the ice returns again in late fall. | more
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Tundra Connections
Well, it's about that time of year--we're gearing up for our Fall season in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, just in time for the annual polar bear migration back out to the ice.
This year's Tundra Connections cast is shaping up to be one of the most stellar yet, with some of world's most renowned polar bear and sea ice specialists sharing information and fielding your most astute questions in a series of webcasts brought to you live from the tundra. This year, we've tailored our schedule to more effectively benefit our audience, with a selection of webcasts targeted specifically to kids, colleges, and businesses!
The best part? You won't even have to hunt for your parka in order to learn just what makes polar bears so strong--and yet so susceptible to the effects of climate change.
Click here to see the complete schedule and to register for the program.
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Arctic Species of the Month:
Red Fox
As the Arctic warms, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has been moving northward, expanding into the breeding grounds of its northern cousin, the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus). Studies have shown that in areas where their territories overlap, the larger and more aggressive red fox dominates its arctic relative, competing for lemmings, voles, nestlings, and other prey.
Fast fact: Unlike the arctic fox, which has evolved for life in extreme cold, the red fox is highly adaptable, living in habitats from forests to cities. Because of this flexibility, it is not listed as endangered anywhere. This adaptability doesn't extend to life in true arctic conditions, however, a niche the arctic fox still claims.
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Help Us Go Further
You can do so much to ensure a future for polar bears: vote with your dollars, share your opinions with decision-makers and business leaders, and consume less--energy, fuel, and just general stuff.
You can also support PBI's efforts to educate and effect change, whether by inspiring youth to champion conservation efforts in their communities or bringing you the most factual, up-to-date information on the impact climate change is having on the Arctic, broadcast live from the Arctic.
Thank you for your support--it's what has made us who we are!
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Cozy Up!
We promise you won't get cold watching our Tundra Connections webcasts, but when the series is over, you're on your own! Enter Canada Goose. Their PBI Collection is sure to keep you toasty from nose to toes, and a portion of sales from each item benefits polar bear conservation.
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Calm Air
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With the polar bear migration upon us, we'd like to thank Gold Level sponsor Calm Air for their long-time support of polar bear conservation--and for getting us safe and sound to Churchill each season!
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Featured Scientist
Kevin Middel
We look forward to welcoming
Kevin Middel back to Churchill
Kevin recently completed his
where he focused on the
movement patterns and space
use of adult female polar bears
and the potential effects of
climate change in Southern
Hudson Bay.
His fieldwork includes tagging
on a PBI-supported project that includes the little-studied bears of James Bay, the southernmost polar bears in the world.
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Featured Video
Did you know that not all sea ice
is the same? Our chief scientist explains how biologists
each of the 19 polar bear
populations are faring.
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Teaching Tool
Are you a teacher interested in STEMx training? You can help beta test our free online mini-course, Arctic Connections: Exploring Ecosystems Around the World, later this fall.
The second in a series for the HP
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Give as a GIFT or in HONOR or MEMORY of someone special. Or, add us to your monthly budget with an
ENDURING PLEDGE. All donations are tax-deductible in the US and Canada and help us attain our goal
of conserving polar bears.
You can also join us on your favorite community sites
and share PBI with your friends and family.
We thank you for your continued support.
Conservation through research,
education, and action.
Photo Credits:
Polar Bear Photos, Dan Guravich
© 2013 Polar Bears International. All Rights Reserved.
Marks and text appearing in this newsletter including,
but not limited to, Polar Bears International
name, logo, and programs are trademarks, registered trademarks,
or service ma rks of
Polar Bears International.

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