polar bears: siku, 44 weeks/ weight 84kg "highlights"

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siku, 44 weeks/ weight 84kg "highlights" (00:01:36)

Recorded live at the Scandinavian Wildlife Park from 09/24-09/30/2012. Be a part of history and watch Siku developments daily at Explore.org.

  • topic: polar bears

  • location: kolind

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polar bears: siku, 44 weeks/ weight 84kg "highlights"

Siku was hand-raised by keepers at Scandinavian Wildlife Park after his mother failed to produce enough milk. His friend and companion is Smilla, an older female bear.

Siku’s name is the most common word for “sea ice” in all Eskimo/Inuit languages. His name is symbolic, because wild polar bears are 100% dependent on sea ice for their survival — and that ice is rapidly disappearing due to global warming.

Siku and Smilia's wish is for each of you to reduce your carbon footprint to help save their wild cousins.

about

location: Scandinavian Wildlife Park, Denmark

best viewing hours: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

time zone: Central European Summer Time

related links: My Planet, My Part
Educational Materials
Adopt A Polar Bear
How To Help

did you know?

Polar bears need sea ice to survive.

did you know?

The polar bear’s main prey is the ringed seal, which it catches from openings in the ice.

did you know?

There are 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears worldwide.

did you know?

The five polar bear nations are Canada, the U.S. (Alaska), Greenland, Russia, and Norway.

did you know?

Adult male polar bears usually weigh 775 to 1,200 pounds.

did you know?

Female polar bears are smaller. They normally weigh 330 to 650 pounds.

did you know?

An adult polar bear’s paws are huge: about 12 inches across!

did you know?

To keep from slipping on the ice, the paws are furred and have small bumps that provide traction.

did you know?

Polar bear cubs are born in snow dens in November or December.

did you know?

The mother bear fasts for four to eight months when giving birth and raising cubs.

did you know?

When the cubs are strong enough to leave the den in spring, the family heads for the sea ice.

did you know?

Cubs stay with their mothers for about 2 ½ years.

did you know?

A polar bear mother’s milk is very rich: 31% fat!

did you know?

The main threat to polar bears is loss of their sea ice habitat due to climate change.

did you know?

Long swims to reach sea ice are affecting cub survival rates.

did you know?

Without sea ice, polar bears can’t reach their prey.

did you know?

Scientists predict that we’ll lose two-thirds of the world’s polar bears by mid-century unless we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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grants

NGO: Polar Bears International

grant: $600,000

location: Manitoba

mission: For the Siku Cam Project as part of the My Planet, My Part Campaign and Tundra Connections program, and for general operating support. Grants between 2011-2012.
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Recorded live at the Scandinavian Wildlife Park from 09/24-09/30/2012. Be a part of history and watch Siku developments daily at Explore.org.

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