Global News - August 2008
< Back to Global News
Polar bears stray out to sea as ice caps melt
Thu 28 August 2008 14:00 UK — North America,Bears
An official aerial survey of Alaska's Chukchi Sea has shown a number of polar bears swimming in open water, raising concerns about their future survival.
In total, the survey identified nine polar bears in open water - with one at least 60 miles from shore.
Conservationists warned that the bears often struggle to make it back to land when they stray so far into open water.
They added that the bears were being forced to travel further to find food as a result of shrinking ice caps.
The discovery about the polar bears was made as the US Minerals Management Service conducted a survey of the area in advance of potential offshore oil development.
Professor Richard Steiner of the University of Alaska's marine advisory programme commented: "The bottom line here is that polar bears need sea ice, sea ice is decaying, and the bears are in very serious trouble.
"For any people who are still non-believers in global warming and the impacts it is having in the Arctic, this should answer their doubts once and for all."
Earlier this year, the US Department of Interior listed polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. However, the move was opposed by the state of Alaska.
Help IAR rescue and rehabilitate endangered wildlife.
News brought to you by International Animal Rescue, saving animals from suffering around the world.
< Back to Global News |
Read IAR News
Read IAR News >
|
November 2008
A win for greyhounds in Massachusetts
On 4 November the people of Massachusetts, USA voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Greyhound Protect Act. This legislation will phase out commercial dog racing in the state by 2010.
October 2008
Help the Street Animals of Morocco (HSAM)
International Animal Rescue has twice assisted with the treatment of cats and dogs in Morocco by a group of local and foreign volunteers. The initiative was led by vet nurse Claire Sedgewick. She has produced a report describing their work.
October 2008
Sainsbury's seal protest update
On 29 October we entered discussions with Sainsbury's officials and now await a favorable response to our demands for a statement of their intention to stop killings seals.
|
