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Yes, there are probably still thousands of polar bears, though their vast habitat makes them impossible to count. Their existence is threatened because the Arctic sea ice, their habitat, is shrinking every year.
Some polar bears seem to be dying as a result of climate change. Studies of the Hudson Bay polar bear population, one of the more easily studied populations, show that their winter sea ice is melting earlier each year. This means that bears have less time to build up reserves of fat (from eating seals) to last them through the summer. They are thus forced onto land earlier where they have to compete with other species for food in an unfamiliar habitat. Female bears are smaller and weaker than they were ten years ago and cubs are fewer.
No. The ice is melting and they are having a hard time finding land and food. They can swim miles, but unless they find ice to stop quit swimming they drown.
(Actually, there's really no conclusive answer to this. Polar bears have existed for over 100,000 years, during both hotter and colder periods in the past, and survived through both an Ice Age and the Medieval Warm Period. As for their present numbers, in some areas they have increased markedly whereas in others they are either stable or in decline. In more than a third of their habitat, there are no conclusive figures of their populations at all.)
The polar bear population is stable at around 25000 animals. The polar ice returned to normal levels last winter, and the IUCN says the bear is in no immediate danger.
(There are cites that put populations of polar bears in the 1950s and 1960s at 5000, but these are contested by environmentalists. There is also anecdotal evidence from Inuit hunters to indicate a substantial rise in polar bears regionally, but this is hardly a scientific assessment. Likewise there is not enough knowledge about the living habits of polar bears to even conclude whether higher temperatures will increase or decrease their numbers, or even have any effect on them at all.
The recent political importance attached to polar bear populations has increased considerably the research being done in this field, and along with that the money available for such research. Within the next 10-20 years we should know substantially more about their actual numbers, and to trends upwards or downwards to that figure. We still know very little now, however, and have insufficient data to come to any definitive conclusions.)
Their habitat, the Arctic sea ice, is shrinking every year. This makes it difficult for them to find food to last them through the longer summers.
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What is the population trend of a polar bear?
Some local populations are on the decline, and some are increasing slightly. The overall population is currently fairly stable at 20-25000.
How many populations of polar bears remain in the Arctic?
There are 19 polar bear populations there.
What is decreasing the polar bear's population?
Polar bear populations are threatened by changing weather patterns, and by poachers.The return of sea ice to their habitat will help, but poaching remains a problem. There are more polar bears today, however, than thirty years ago, nearly three times the number. Source: IUCN Redlist
Why is the polar bear still at risk for extinction?
As of now, the polar bear is a vulnerable species, not on the endangered species list, as some populations are increasing.
What has the author Ian Stirling written?
Ian Stirling has written: 'The distribution and abundance of seals in the eastern Beaufort Sea, 1974-79' -- subject(s): Bearded seal, Mammal populations, Ringed seal 'Polar bears' -- subject(s): Polar bear 'Population ecology studies of the polar bear in northern Labrador' -- subject(s): Mammal populations, Polar bear 'Polar Bear' -- subject(s): Juvenile literature, Polar bear 'Population ecology of the polar bear along the proposed Arctic Islands Gas Pipeline route' -- subject(s): Animal ecology, Environmental aspects of Pipelines, Pipelines, Polar bear
Are populations of amphibians increasing or decreasing?
Decreasing
Where are the polar bears going extinct?
The polar bear isn't currently going extinct anywhere. There are several populations, and some are doing better than others, but as of this time none of the populations are in extreme danger.
On what do polar bears depend?
Right now, polar bears depend on humans. The habitat of the polar bear is decreasing. Because of global warming, the ice is melting. Polar bears are dying off because they have to swim long distances to get to ice.
Why has there been so much current news about polar bears?
Because the polar bear has been used as a proxy to promote the threat of global warming. Polar bear populations are not actually declining - the species is threatened only if you assume that hysterical predictions of warming are true.
What date were polar bears listed as endangered?
The polar bear has not been listed as an endangered species, some populations are in decline, while others are doing well. Listed as vulnerable.
Are shark populations increasing or decreasing because of humans fishing?
the sharks are decreasing
How do the large feet of a polar bear act to reduce the pressure on ice?
it will spread it out across the large surface area therefore decreasing it. hope that helps! :)
