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Citizen Scientists
How fat is that polar bear? With each click of a camera, visitors who travel to Churchill for the polar bear migration are helping PBI scientists document the size and condition of the bears that gather there. The photos will also help scientists track the number of family groups and the age and sex of the bears seen.
It's all part of our Citizen Science Project, an effort to obtain a visual record of a large sampling of bears as they gather near Churchill each fall to wait for the sea ice to return. The photos will provide scientists with a long-term data set on how this threatened population is changing over time.
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Counting Polar Bears
 Three days, roughly 285 bears. As part of the long-term monitoring of the Western Hudson Bay polar bear migration, we're working with Manitoba Conservation on annual aerial surveys of the bears gathered along the Hudson Bay shore. The Western Hudson Bay Coastal Survey counts bears and surveys their condition just before freeze-up (and again in summer when the ice melts) to help scientists assess the health and condition of the population. Cub production and survival rates are a key part of the study. "This year's preliminary results showed a total of 24 family groups: 18 females with spring cubs and six females with yearling cubs," says Krista Wright, PBI's executive director. "Comparisons of those numbers over time will help scientists determine long-trends and the population's overall well-being." The method could be used to assess other populations in the future as melting summer sea ice drives the bears ashore. |
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Guest Post:
A Polar Bear Thanksgiving
By Cassandra Debets
Last week, I gathered around the table with my Churchill family-the crew that is the glue holding Polar Bears International's conservation efforts together up here in Churchill during the annual fall polar bear migration.
It was Canadian Thanksgiving and, being the only Canadian, I made dinner and was given the chance to reflect on what I am thankful for. After thinking about it, the first thing that came to mind was my opportunity to be part of the PBI team this year. | More
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Arctic Species of the Month
It's polar bear migration season and November 4-10 was Polar Bear Week--so what better time to feature our favorite arctic animal? Polar bears are what we're all about, after all.
Our website FAQ is a good place to start for basic facts on these amazing animals, from numbers (20,000 to 25,000) to size (adult males are generally 775 to 1,200 pounds) to the low-down on cubs (just one pound at birth, blind, and lightly furred).
Fun fact: The polar bear's fur is not actually white--each shaft is clear and pigment-free. Polar bears appear white because the hollow shafts reflect sunlight.
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Video of the Month
Churchill 2013: LIVE Wild Polar Bear Cams
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Each season, PBI's polar bear cam transports you to Churchill, Manitoba, for the annual migration back to the sea ice. Presented in partnership with explore.org, Frontiers North's Tundra Buggy Adventure, and Parks Canada, there's no bad seat in the house when you're taking in the drama of the season through these live feeds! |
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The Giving Season
Most nonprofits bring in the bulk of their tax-deductible contributions in the last two months of the year--and PBI is no different. We hope you'll help us finish the
calendar year strong!
Prefer to donate via PayPal? This is now an option for you through
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Holiday Help
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The PBI elves have assembled an assortment of sustainable gifts to suit just about anyone on your list--from cappuccino mugs to Canadian-crafted jewelry to books and artwork.
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Featured Sponsor
Natural Exposures
Can't wait for the next edition
of PBI's electronic newsletter
each month--if only for the
stunning polar bear photos?
Thanks to Daniel J. Cox and
Natural Exposures, we're able to share with you the best of the best of polar bear photos. It's hard not
to devote yourself to the
conservation of these curious critters after browsing through Dan's stunning photos.
Dan also contributes to the photodocumentation of the changes in stature and numbers polar bears are undergoing as the arctic sea ice melts through PBI's Arctic Documentary Project--the proof isn't in the pudding, it's in the pictures! Check out the outfit here.
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Featured Scientist
Cassandra Debets
MES Candidate
York University, Toronto
A commute on a Tundra Buggy, enlisting the help of tourists with
our Citizen Science Project, and keeping careful records of the condition, age, and sex classes
of all polar bears seen.
Grad student Cassandra Debets handles it all--cheerfully and
skillfully--as part of her fall
research on the tundra.
We love her passion and
commitment and are happy
to have her as part of our team.
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Teaching Tool
Don't miss out!
STEMx badges and bring climate change and the Arctic into your classroom or program.
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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:
Gathering of Polar Bears, Richard P. Beck;
Sleeping Bear, Bear Cub with a Snowy Nose, Daniel Cox,
Counting Polar Bears, 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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