Polar Meltdown (10 page)

LOSS OF HABITAT

Climate change is the biggest threat to the polar bear. The dramatic increase in thawing of the Arctic sea ice has reduced their prey. It is predicted that the summer sea ice may disappear in the next 20–30 years, which will have a very bad effect on its numbers.

OIL DRILLING

Oil is already big business in the Arctic and the oil and gas industry is set to expand in the future. Polar bears can end up consuming chemicals from oil spills through grooming themselves or eating contaminated animals. Even a small amount of oil can kill a polar bear.

PREDATORS

Humans are the polar bears' only predator. In the past, hunting was the greatest threat to the bears but this is now restricted by the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears and their Habitat.

It's not all bad news!

The World Wildlife Fund is working to tackle climate change and stop the melting of the polar bears' sea ice habitat. They are also working to protect the Norwegian and Russian Arctic Sea from the pollution caused by shipping, fishing and oil and gas drilling.