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Polar bears and artificial islands
Why is WWF not taking action to rescue individual polar bears that have been spotted swimming far from land or ice.
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While we feel deeply for these animals, unfortunately, there is no practical way to rescue them.
Simply finding them again following the original sighting would be nearly impossible as the arctic waters are very wide, the currents are strong, and adult bears can move quite quickly through the water.
We must also take into account that polar bears have been documented swimming up to 320kms (about 200 miles). A polar bear in the water, even one far from land or ice, is not always a polar bear that needs saving.
Some people have suggested that artificial platforms placed in the water could act as a home for the bears.
In reality, however, one must recognise the vast scale of the Arctic and the area normally covered by ice. It would not be practical to replace that with artificial platforms.
Such platforms are also no substitute for the role of sea ice in food production. Sea ice is part of a vital arctic food web, sustaining plants and animals from single-celled creatures all the way up to seals. Without this food web, polar bears cannot survive.
What we can do, right now, is to take actions that will help polar bear populations. The most important threat is climate change. The Arctic is feeling the effects of that change first and worst.
The science is clear but some governments are not moving quickly enough to address it. They fail to see that the polar bears are the early victims of a global crisis that warrants immediate attention and bold action. Polar bears and people share the same planet—and the same fate.
We can also take action to deal with some immediate threats to the bears, such as increasing industrialisation of the Arctic, and unsustainable levels of hunting. By making the right choices, we can save polar bears as a wild species, and save ourselves in the process.
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Inappropriate?While we feel deeply for these animals, unfortunately, there is no practical way to rescue them.
Simply finding them again following the original sighting would be nearly impossible as the arctic waters are very wide, the currents are strong, and adult bears can move quite quickly through the water.
We must also take into account that polar bears have been documented swimming up to 320kms (about 200 miles). A polar bear in the water, even one far from land or ice, is not always a polar bear that needs saving.
Some people have suggested that artificial platforms placed in the water could act as a home for the bears.
In reality, however, one must recognise the vast scale of the Arctic and the area normally covered by ice. It would not be practical to replace that with artificial platforms.
Such platforms are also no substitute for the role of sea ice in food production. Sea ice is part of a vital arctic food web, sustaining plants and animals from single-celled creatures all the way up to seals. Without this food web, polar bears cannot survive.
What we can do, right now, is to take actions that will help polar bear populations. The most important threat is climate change. The Arctic is feeling the effects of that change first and worst.
The science is clear but some governments are not moving quickly enough to address it. They fail to see that the polar bears are the early victims of a global crisis that warrants immediate attention and bold action. Polar bears and people share the same planet—and the same fate.
We can also take action to deal with some immediate threats to the bears, such as increasing industrialisation of the Arctic, and unsustainable levels of hunting. By making the right choices, we can save polar bears as a wild species, and save ourselves in the process.
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I agree that there are many things we need to do to save polar bears - all of the above. But i am afraid the polar bears are going to be gone before climate change can be controlled and turned around. I also understand that the sea ice is not just a platform, but also has a role in arctic food production. As unnatural as it might be, I bet an artificial ice flow could be designed with materials which could support at least most of the functions of a real ice flow. If this will support the polar animals for awhile until we humans get out heads on straight and deal with climate change, I think it's worth doing. And I think the place to start to fund-raise for this is the oil companies! -
I agree that there are many things we need to do to save polar bears - all of the above. But i am afraid the polar bears are going to be gone before climate change can be controlled and turned around. I also understand that the sea ice is not just a platform, but also has a role in arctic food production. As unnatural as it might be, I bet an artificial ice flow could be designed with materials which could support at least most of the functions of a real ice flow. If this will support the polar animals for awhile until we humans get out heads on straight and deal with climate change, I think it's worth doing. And I think the place to start to fund-raise for this is the oil companies!
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Inappropriate?Hi Coach T - I am the web manager for the WWF International Arctic Programme, and our Polar Bear Conservation Coordinator, Geoff York, gave this response to your question:
“While the majority of polar bears prefer to stay on the sea ice year round, small numbers are able to wait out the ice free period on land. While no expert believes this strategy can support a large number of bears, this dispersal will likely be part of their long term survival. However, coming ashore in many areas places polar bears at risk of death or disturbance from human and industrial interaction. It is also possible that these pockets of ice refugees will be more susceptible to new disease vectors from land sources in a warming climate as they search for new food sources.”
Thanks for your interest!
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Inappropriate?Thats disgusting its obviously humanities fault that these bears face extinction, the worst culprit obviously being the United States, why is a bear sanctuary not being created? Is there no possible solution for this problem? and what has happened to their prey. Is their prey also suffering at the hands of this fowl nation of over consumption without consequence? What solutions have been discussed thus far?
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Inappropriate?Hi Concerned4Earth
Nations, relevant organistions and concerned individuals all working together will provide the best chance of success to the issues faced by polar bears and the ecosystems that they represent.
WWF is working on a number of solutions which you can read about if you visit the following website and the associated links.
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_...
Hope this helps -
Inappropriate?Seems to me that the idea of artificial platforms as substitute for small islands of sea ice is too readily discarded by conservation groups involved with the polar bear. Such devices could be easily and probably inexpensively built and placed in areas where ice breakup is worst. Such platforms could and should be part of the strategy for protecting the bears by helping them to rest while hunting. No real reason was given by Jackie, (official rep) sic why such devices are considered unworthy of any consideration.
More data on this, please! What are the real reasons behind the rejection? Why not let such platforms be a part of the constellation of protective strategies?
Joyce2 Comments Add a comment
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I Agree with you
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I Agree with you
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Inappropriate?Hi Joyce
Wild polar bears have evolved over 200,000 years to survive in one of the worlds harshest environments. To survive and breed they must catch lots of seals at holes in the ice - seals can easily outswim polarBears in open water. Therefore, sea ice is absolutely essential to polarBears throughout much of the year. It is this loss of sea ice for progressively longer periods in the arctic summer that is driving polar Bears towards extinction - a few handy artificial icebergs would give them a place to rest, true, but without adequate food supply, such summer platforms would really be little help other than as ambulance-like stretchers for ever-skinnier bears.
Further more, the ice is much more than a simple platform for polar bears, seals and walruses – it supports the very food web that sustains polar bears. In fact, sea ice acts like an 'upside-down garden' for the Arctic ice-based ecosystem. The algae and other life forms that live on the ice would not shift to an artificial substrate or island, and polar bears would not survive without this food web to support them.
Another issue to consider is that polar bears roam over vast territories, particularly during the breeding season, so it would be difficult to ascertain the best place to put artificial islands, even if they were deemed an appropriate solution
It is also important to realise that the arctic ocean is a huge space, roughly the size of Russia, with an average depth of 1038 metres (3407 ft), making anchoring, and placement, of such 'islands' very difficult.
Clearly, the real solution is for societies and governments to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and shift to renewable energy supplies and a truly sustaianble life on this planet. If we don't, there will be no more polar bears in the wild.
You may wish to read more about WWF’s Climate Change programme at the following url: http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_w...
Thank you for sharing your concerns and caring enough to think about possible solutions. -
Inappropriate?Can we place bridges or docks between the artic ice and the southern land masses to give polar bears a mid-point or multiple stations to have breaks in their travels at sea? We do this type of thing for animals on the main continent...I think they're called animal bridges...they're found in Canada and the US where highways divide natural environments for animals. I would donate and support anyone who could devise a system to help save these precious creatures from drowning or being stranded, as halting global warming will not happen quickly and even if we could halt it today, these animals need help now.
This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled
Arctic Animal Bridges/Docking Stations. -
Inappropriate?Kathi
See our thoughts above. Essentially, keep in mind that the the logistics of creating man-made islands in the ocean is an enormous task, much bigger than creating animal bridges across a highway. Also, highway bridges are constructed in areas known to already be regular pathways for wild animals. -
Inappropriate?Sea ice and a food source is of course what would exist if
global warming was not a fact of man's greed and ignorance. Polar Bears are the innocent victims. They
must be protected with every possible effort within man's
power. WWF has been a group that animal conservationists could count on for decades. It is time
to truly support Polar Bears. Jackie and WWF need to support these measures of floating platforms coupled with a food source such as seal. Biologists need to figure out the best way to make this food source happen. Engineers can design the platforms. Time to stop kidding ourselves. These are DESPERATE times for Polar Bears. Is WWF going to really be a voice of inaction rather than action and dismiss rescue islands as a required temporary tool until sea ice returns for the
Polar Bear? Is WWF really going to be content with only
zoo populations of Polar Bear and hope for reintroduction
into the wild some day? Get serious and truly be a voice for the wild Polar Bears. Get behind the effort of rescue
islands with a food source. Yes, this is tampering with
nature, but in a positive way. Man is the reason there is no sea ice. Man must rescue the wild Polar Bear until the
sea ice returns. Who better to spearhead this effort and
make it work than WWF. The effort would happily be supported by people internationally. Remember Free Willy? People care and would support a Polar Bear Sanctuary. These are desperate times for wild Polar Bear. WWF needs to step up and be an advocate. A few polar bears in zoos is not a worthy outcome. Keep Polar Bears in the Arctic.1 Comment Add a comment
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That`s right, it must be done now,no time to waste! those bears are dying..
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Inappropriate?SHEILA,
I agree with you and admire the passion in your reply, especially compared to the dry beaurocratic answers given by JACKIE who seems to be a mouthpiece for the office suits in charge.
JACKIE, why don't you tell us what you ARE doing to have a positive effect for polar bears instead of what you CAN'T or WON'T do? I've lost respect for WWF.
Other readers and posters: do you know of any organizations that are actively pursuing and implementing any solutions?
Jo -
Inappropriate?Hi Jo, Shelia
Thanks for adding your thoughts to this and we certainly respect your passion and determination.
I can assure we are also equally passionate and determined about the plight facing not just the polar bears, but a whole raft of species who will be impacted by the loss of ice in the Arctic.
(Have you read about ringed seals of Lake Saimaa? They need snow to build dens so their pups can survive... in some recent years there hasn't been enough snow for them to do this.)
As for polar bears, to be honest, even if the science said building islands would work, even if the money could be found, and the vast area of the Arctic ocean covered in floating islands... isn't this defeatist?
Why are polar bears in trouble?
Because the ice is melting.
Why is the ice melting?
Because, almost all scientists agree, man has caused an acceleration to climate change that is way beyond natural rates.
Rates at which species cannot naturally adapt to.
If we are going to stand the best chance of helping the polar bears then we must look at the core problem, and not go about mopping up the spilling milk?
http://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/...
(And we are literally throwing everything except the kitchen sink into tackling this problem.)
I did do a quick check for you online to see if I could find you another organization that was willing to build the artificial islands you propose, but so far no luck. If I do find something, I will post it here for you. I give you my word.
All the best and thanks again for adding your thoughts and passionate concern here.
By the way, I don't wear a suit. In fact I've only ever worn a tie to interviews and weddings :-)
Take care
Steven -
Inappropriate?Okay the prospect of placing artificial islands is something WWF wont look at for it vast and varied reasons. Cant understand how a few couldnt hurt, they have helped Seal and Walrus populations in some areas. However why cant the road kill in the Hudson Bay area be gathered and stored in the months leading up to the thaw, so when the bears are ravenous and cant get onto the ice due to human destruction of the planet, have that road kill then distributed arond the shore line in the unpopulated areas. this would at least see the circle of life continue from the needless death of the animal from the road and the needless death of a species of truly magnificent and tender animal. Food is the biggest problem faced by this animal and its time the non interference policy was forgotten when dealing with threatened species. We can still help and not get closely involved, dropping carcuses in random positions, the polar bears arent going to know it was humans they are going to know its food! A food source which they can use for energy fighting the enviromental elements created by humans until they can get to the food sources they know and love. The worst thing about this is it is actually a relatively cheap and easy option, so off course WWF nor any other organisation will act or even bother in the attempt! Be prepared for more excuses!!!!!! Pam Duck1 Comment Add a comment
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Aint that the truth!
Its through human interference that these animals are now on the brink of extinction in the first place, but lets see if WWF so much as lifts a finger to stop to it!
Pam thats a brilliant idea. Seriously there arent that many polar bears left so a few dead cows could save them and it wouldnt kill us either ( If anything its partly because we have so many cows on this planet that these beautiful creatures are endangered). If they arent going to build the islands then its become a massive zoo and we as the zoo keepers are letting them starve to death. Everytime I get a response on this post, I get more and more upset. This has been up for over a year and WWF or any organisation has yet to offer a solution! Action, we want action! -
Inappropriate?Hi all
WWF indeed offers a solution. We are working our butts off to make a global difference with regards to climate change. We are working to save the entire ecosystem upon which polar bears truly depend. While it is certainly commendable to try and save individual polar bears WWF's vision is to save the species. WWF's expertise is in keeping wild animals in the wild spaces that they need to survive. Polar bears are one of our priority species and the arctic is one of our priority places. We couldn't be more serious about tackling the issues that threaten polar bear survival.
No less than seven of our offices are involved in conservation of the arctic lands.
http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/where...
Perhaps one of these offices is in your country. PLEASE contact them directly and understand the local solutions that are being implemented. Discuss your ideas to understany why or why not they would work in your area.
Read about what we are doing, the resources we are putting in and read about some ways that you can help us help all polar bears.
http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/where...
Keep up with the latest news about polar bears and the areas that are being protected to help ensure that there is a place for them to live.
http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/where...
Read about the thoughts and views of a polar bear expert
http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/where...
To best understand how we make conservation decisions please read our mission statement and guiding principles. As a global organisation with a successful track record in conservation our mission statement and guiding principles have held us in good stead.
http://www.panda.org/who_we_are/
Finally, resources are very limited. WWF makes conservation decisions that allow the most effective help with the precious funds we have available. While we would love to follow any idea, this simply isn't logistically or financially possible. We follow the ideas that fit with our mission and our guiding principles. These follow best science practice.
However, do contact your most national office involved in arctic conservation to best understand the ways that you can best help your most local polar bears. -
Inappropriate?All I can say right now is... http://digg.com/d31BKA7
Guess it will be our fate too if we don't act where these so called massive corporates and companies with millions and millions in donations and sales annually stand by and do nothing, allowing us to be fooled by the idea that no matter what they do, this situation is inevitable. It is not. It can be changed but they are run on corporate investment. Selling us products that, we are socially pressured to buy ( look how few indigenous people are now globalised), but which in the process of production raise the tempreture of the planet and then we are told we are the issue. I am sorry but not even if every person in the world stopped purchasing, would it help to save these beautiful creatures that need action now. To give anything less is completely inhumane and sets a precedent for all other species on the planet, even ourselves.
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