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Chukchi Sea Polar Bears

 

Approaching Bear_DG

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.

Calling all Students!

 

Polar Bear Face Know any eco-minded kids, age 11-18? Here's their chance to put their passion to work for polar bears!
 
Registration for our annual Project Polar Bear Contest runs through October 31st. The contest challenges small teams of young people to create community projects that reduce CO2--with an emphasis on those designed to continue after the contest ends. Learn more on our website and meet the most recent winners.
Guest Post: 
A Tale of Two Bears
The Challenges of a Changing Climate

 

Two Bears_DG

 

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

Tundra Connections
 
Tundra Con Icon 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. 
Arctic Species of the Month:
Red Fox

 

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.

In This Issue
 
Chuckchi Sea Polar Bears
Project Polar Bear
A Tale of Two Bears
Tundra Connections
Help Us Go Further
Footprint 2
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!
Donate Artwork  
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! CG Hoodies
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. 

Check out the inventory here, or visit your favorite Canada Goose outlet!
Calm Air

Calm Air

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! 
Featured Scientist
Kevin Middel
Kevin-Middel

 

We look forward to welcoming
Kevin Middel back to Churchill
this fall as one of our Tundra Connections panelists!
 
Kevin recently completed his
Master's at Trent University,
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
and radio-collaring polar bears, working with Dr. Martyn Obbard
on a PBI-supported project that includes the little-studied bears of James Bay, the southernmost polar bears in the world. 
Featured Video
Steve Amstrup - Four Ice Eco-regions

 

Did you know that not all sea ice
is the same? Our chief scientist explains how biologists
have defined four Sea Ice Eco-regions to help estimate how
each of the 19 polar bear
populations are faring. 
Teaching Tool

HP Polar Bear Logo  

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
Catalyst Academy, it follows the successful launch of our first mini-course, Polar Bears in a Changing Climate. For details, visit our website.
 
 
Give A Gift Icon
 
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.
 
Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn  View our videos on YouTube  View our photos on flickr  Find us on Google+  Find us on Pinterest  Tumbler Logo  Visit our blog

We thank you for your continued support.

Conservation through research,
education, anaction.

Photo Credits:
Red Fox, Daniel J. Cox/NaturalExposures.com
Polar Bear Photos, Dan Guravich

© 2013 Polar Bears International. All Rights Reserved.

 

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