feralinspo:

International Polar Bear Day is an annual event celebrated every February 27th to raise awareness about the conservation status of the polar bear. 

Listed as Vulnerable upon the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the polar bear can be found throughout the Arctic circumpolar regions of the planet. It is the largest land carnivore, weighing 800 to 1.300 pounds and spending over half its time searching for food but finding success in less than 2% of hunts. 

Polar bears are threatened by the effects of climate change, in particular the melting of sea ice which reduces their access to prey. Recent research has highlighted the detrimental impacts that this can have, causing decreased body condition and declines in cub production and survival. Approximately 22,000-31,000 individuals are estimated to currently exist. 

“It’s definitely a positive sign to see population numbers looking good, but it’s also worrying to see that climate change is beginning to have a noticeable effect, even on northerly populations. This reiterates the importance of monitoring to understand how polar bears are coping with the effects of climate change, while at the same time focusing our efforts on maintaining polar bear habitat within the Last Ice Area.” –Melanie Lancaster, WWF Arctic Programme 

How can you help?

• Cut your carbon footprint by leaving the car at home at least once a week
• Help raise awareness of the threats to polar bears within your social circle
• Use water efficiently
• Use energy-saving lightbulbs and advocate green fossil fuel energy alternatives 
• Purchase locally grown produce 
• Aim to consume less meat
• Avoid products with excess packaging and recycle when possible
• Adopt a polar bear
  
• Speak up for polar bears by voting for political representatives who recognise a vital need to reduce carbon emissions
• View more polar bear saving actions here!