{"id":802,"date":"2014-02-27T15:30:43","date_gmt":"2014-02-27T15:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/?p=802"},"modified":"2016-10-14T16:16:22","modified_gmt":"2016-10-14T16:16:22","slug":"its-polar-bear-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/en\/its-polar-bear-day\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s Polar Bear Day!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Polar bears are one of the most well-known and recognizable Canadian species. These bears are Canada\u2019s largest land carnivore, with adult males weighing up to 800 kilograms (1,763 pounds). The white coats of the adults often appear cream to yellow against the dazzling whiteness of their home, the arctic pack ice.<\/p>\n

Polar bears live throughout the North, along the coastlines and throughout the arctic islands from Hudson Bay to the North pole. Different regions have different groups of bears, called subpopulations. Polar bears prefer to live in areas near sea ice to catch their favourite prey, ringed seals. Because of this, some subpopulations face long-term threats due to climate change. As the water gets warmer each year, the ice shrinks, making it difficult for polar bears to hunt enough seals to survive.<\/p>\n

What is CWF doing to help polar bears and other arctic wildlife?<\/h3>\n

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CWF is working towards the long-term survival of polar bears by monitoring behaviour shifts in response to changes in their habitat, advocating for polar bear-friendly legislative protection, and by engaging the public on climate change.<\/p>\n

Monitoring the current trends of the polar bear is crucial, as this data helps citizens, businesses, and government make informed decisions about the future of polar bears.\u00a0 Since May 2012, CWF has partnered with researchers at York University to study the feeding habits and lifestyle of the Hudson Bay subpopulation.\u00a0 The majority of this work was done in Northern Ontario (James Bay area).<\/p>\n

CWF is also working with government to ensure a proper management plan is in place.\u00a0 This includes sharing research and bear trends with the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, or COSEWIC.\u00a0\u00a0 This committee advises federal politicians on which species should receive special protection under the Federal Species at Risk Act in Canada.<\/p>\n

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As individuals, we can help wildlife like Polar bears by reducing our consumption of greenhouse-emitting gases and household pollution.\u00a0 Each time we use energy, small amounts of carbon are emitted, either by our furnaces or through power plants.\u00a0 Reducing energy usage in the home, and cutting back on the amount we drive, can help reduce our personal pollution.\u00a0 Through online and mail communications, like Candian Wildlife<\/em> magazine<\/a>, CWF informs Canadians about the ways they can reduce their emissions.\u00a0 If we all work together, this can help slow negative changes to\u00a0 polar bear habitats.<\/p>\n

Together, through safeguarding their habitat, we can help\u00a0 the recovery of these amazing animals!<\/p>\n

Learn more about polar bears:<\/p>\n