News

Scientist reports polar bears in danger from melting sea ice

Thursday, February 08, 2007

By Melanie Stein

  Speaking to a packed house of inquisitive Jacksonites, Dr. Steve Amstrup, leading polar bear researcher in the United States, spoke about the plight of the polar bear and changes in the Arctic.

For 25 years, Amstrup has conducted research primarily in the Beaufort Sea region off Alaska and currently serves as Research Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Alaska Science Center.

Richard Buchanan, President of Polar Bears International, and Daniel Cox, a professional photojournalist and wildlife photographer, also spoke, though Amstrup stole the show.

Amstrup displayed powerful slides highlighting shifts in annual sea ice cover in the Arctic region over the past 25 years, tracked largely by satellite imagery and buoy monitoring.

Changes in sea ice coverage are significant for polar bears, as their livelihood is closely tied to it, but also for other species and the world.

“Polar bears are the sentinel species for climate change,” Amstrup said in his talk, as they are the universal symbol of the Arctic.

The Arctic has been undergoing rapid changes as a result of warmer ai
r and water temperatures and shifts in ocean circulation patterns.

Polar bears are dependent on sea ice for the majority of their life cycle needs, Amstrup said, as they hunt for ringed and bearded seals  – their primary food sources – on the ice.

Some bears also dig dens in snowdrifts on the ice where they have their cubs in the fall. Although bears are adept swimmers, the ice is their true home.

In addition to decreased sea ice coverage, sea ice is breaking up and drifting into the North Atlantic earlier each year. This has forced polar bears onto land, where they are less adept hunters and are often food-deprived.

Amstrup and other researchers have noticed the effect these changes are having on polar bear cub survival rate. Females are still breeding, but their cubs are not making it on to the next generation, he said.

The event, sponsored by the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Richard and Valerie Beck, and Polar Bears International was designed to inspire, inform and empower listeners to make changes in their lives that will combat climate change and help protect polar bear habitat.

At the end of the evening, several of acclaimed photographer Daniel Cox’s books and one limited edition photograph were raffled off to audience members who will now have the opportunity to look at the majestic Arctic creatures from their homes.

Photo courtesy of NMWA. Steve Amstrup with polar bear cubs.

PERMALINK:
Scientist reports polar bears in danger from melting sea ice | Planet JH News Article: General News

Reader Comments

i have use you writing for my work i am doing polar bears all about them
katie

you fuker!!! fuk fuk fuker heya fuker!!
Frankie

The new theatrical movie, Arctic Tale, also is a great ispirational and educational too to try to get the message out, about what is happening to Polar Bears and the Arctic ecosystem. It will be playing in Jackson Hole, during the Jackson Hole wildlife film festival in October.
SarahRobertson



Leave a Comment


Write a Letter to the Editor
Please limit your letter to 300 words, sign it and give us the name of your town.

Thursday, March 18
TODAY'S EVENTS
Music
Farris Miller Smith
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
at Q Roadhouse on Moose-Wilson Road.
Outdoors
National Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
National Elk Refuge
Classes & Lectures
Feature Creature Naturalist Series
11:00 AM to 11:15 AM
Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, 532 N. Cache Street in Jackson.
Music
Phil Round
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
in the double fireplace lobby of the Amangani.
Music
Walter Williams
9:00 PM
at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Theater
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ
7:00 PM
Center for the Arts
Sports & Recreation
Parks and Recreation Schedule
Recreation Center
Community
Chamber Mixer: Free Ski Day
9:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Grand Targhee Resort
Art
Sarah Graham - JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tayloe Piggott Gallery, formerly JH Muse
Community
Sarah Graham - JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Tayloe Piggott Gallery formerly JH Muse
Community
What’s News: Discussing the Headlines
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Teton County Library
Music
Judd Grossman
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
in the Four Seasons Lobby Lounge.
Art
ARTWalk
5:00 PM
Jackson Hole
Art
Gallery Lecture
5:30 PM
Art Association Gallery 240 S. Glenwood In the Center for the Arts
Good Eats
Dishing: A Club for Jackson Foodies
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Teton County Library
Classes & Lectures
Soap Making Class
6:00 PM
Teton County/Jackson Recreation Center Meeting Room
Community
Pink Ribbon Riders Meet -n- Greet Social
6:00 PM
Virginian Lodge
Literature
Great Books Discussion Group
7:00 PM
The Wort
Music
Greg Creamer
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
at Alpine Wines in Driggs.
View All Events
planet polls
Main Poll
Are coming changes in the state legislative body going to make a difference?



Total of voters : 12