International Polar Bear Day
Every year on February 27th, International Polar Bear Day raises concerns about the challenges that polar bears face every year. It's also a day to find ways to minimize the effects of global climate change.
The polar bear has been designated as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The biggest threat to this species's survival is sea ice loss due to climate change. Currently, there are an estimated 26,000 polar bears in the world. They live in 19 different populations around the Arctic. About 60% of these populations are within or shared by Canada. Polar bears are also found in Alaska, Norway, Greenland, and Russia.
Polar bears are impossible to study due to their lives in such remote locations. It is known that the number of polar bears around the world is not decreasing. Polar bears are expected to become extinct between 2050 and 2100, according to some, if sea ice continues to disappear. Seals' disappearance could also have an effect on the polar bear population. This is due to the fact that seals, which also depend on the ice, are the primary food source for polar bears.
- Here are some more polar bear facts: Here are some more polar bear facts: Here are some more polar bear facts:
- Hibernating polar bear moms go 8 months without a meal for 8 months
- About every three years, female polar bears start a new family
- Polar bears can travel up to 19 miles per day for several days
- Polar bears have jet black skin underneath all the thick translucent fur
One of the few things you may not know about polar bear cubs is that newborn polar bear cubs weigh just over 1 pound. They weigh hundreds of pounds by the time they are two years old. An adult male polar bear weighs more than 1,700 pounds.
How to celebrate #internationalpolarbearday
- Polar Bear International (PBI) raises funds to create a new tool that locates and maps polar bear den locations on this day. During hibernation, this device helps ensure that polar bear moms and cubs aren't disturbed
- PBI also produces live events, such as educational broadcasts and special film screenings
- Donate to an organization that helps polar bears and their natural habitats
- Adopt a polar bear through the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- Check out the PBI Polar Bear Tracker
- Read a book about polar bears to your children, such as Hush Little Polar Bear by Jeff Mack or Polar Bears by Mark Newman
- Face to Face with the Polar Bear, a documentary on Face to Face with the Polar Bear
- #InternationalPolarBearDay on social media, spreading word about this day by posting a polar bear picture or video on social media with #InternationalPolarBearDay
The international polar bear day is the longest day of history for the international polar bear day
In 2011, PBI established International Polar Bear Day. Part of their aim was to discourage polar bear families from denning polar bears across the Arctic. PBI selected February 27th for this reason, as it is the time when polar bear moms and cubs are snug in their dens at this time. PBI is a non-polar bear conservation group based in the United States. They have headquarters in Bozeman, Montana, and Churchill, Manitoba.
