Adopt a Polar Bear

December 03rd, 2006 | Category: Environment

Defenders of Wildlife is a US organisation which helps to protect wildlife with funds raised from their Adopt an Animal program. Polar bears are under threat due to global warming but also due to drilling for oil in their habitat. The Adopt a Polar Bear campaign is working towards preventing the US Congress from allowing oil companies to drill in areas where polar bears live and breed.

What is the threat to polar bears?

Unfortunately, there are numerous threats to the polar bear population. There are concerns that the polar bear may become extinct this century.

Scientists have warned that destruction of habitat is severely impacting the polar bear population. They have warned that drilling and oil development could cause mother polar bears, when disturbed by the noise that comes along with oil drilling to abandon their dens, leaving their helpless cubs to fend for themselves. A cub’s chance of survival without its mother is impossible.

Oil from toxic spills could get into a polar bears fur, limiting its ability to insulate itself from the Arctic temperatures and causing it to die of hypothermia.

Polar Bear Facts

Polar bear fur is translucent, it just appears to be cream in colour.
Most adult males weigh from 300 to 600kg.
In hot and humid conditions, polar bear fur has been known to turn green due to algae growing on the fur.
Polar bears are capable of out running a human.
Polar bears do not hibernate.
Grizzly bear/polar bear hybrids have been found in the wild.

If you are interested you can adopt a polar bear or any of the animals listed below: