polar bears: testing the ice

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A polar bear tests the ice along the edge of Hudson Bay. He spreads out his limbs in an attempt to distribute his weight, but the ice just is not thick enough yet.

  • grant: $600,000 - Polar Bears International

    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.

  • topic: polar bears

  • location: churchill

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polar bears: testing the ice

Rigged with a live camera, the Tundra Buggy roves the tundra tracking polar bears and other native species during daylight hours.

Every Fall, Churchill’s polar bears gather along the shores of Hudson Bay to wait for the ice to form so they can return to their seal-hunting grounds. During that time, they’re in a state known as walking hibernation.

But freeze-ups are coming later each year—and melt-offs sooner—straining the limits of their fat reserves. That’s why this population is considered the most endangered. It’s up to us to take action to help them.

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location: Churchill, Canada

best viewing hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm

time zone: Central Time

related links: My Planet, My Part
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See Polar Bears in the Wild

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 two and a half 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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A polar bear tests the ice along the edge of Hudson Bay. He spreads out his limbs in an attempt to distribute his weight, but the ice just is not thick enough yet.

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