Eisbears in the Hudson-Bay: Fight for survival in climate change!

Eisbears in the Hudson-Bay: Fight for survival in climate change!

In the extensive waters of the Hudson-Bay in Canada, the polar bear scout Dennis observes the majestic animals that suffer from the effects of climate warming. His focus is on the behavior of the polar bear families, who take a dangerous hike after the birth of their young to get to their traditional habitat. Usually the polar bears find plenty of seals on the sea ice, but the current situation is anything but normal. Climate change has changed the conditions significantly, which leads to an uncertain future for the polar bears in this region. According to ARD Mediathek , the ice bears are in a constant struggle for survival, since the change of their habitat has direct effects on their hunting opportunities.

A reason for the dramatic location is the dwindling sea ice, which forces the polar bears to be more and more on land. As the Süddeutsche Zeitung , the animals are increasingly spending more days because the ice is worrying back. During this time, they try to eat alternative sources of food. This happens by eating berries, garbage and even carcass.

hike and food search

The ice conditions not only change in the Hudson Bay, but also affect the entire ecosystem. Eisbears regularly send themselves to Churchill's settlements in autumn, Canada, when the sea freezes and return to their traditional habitat. These hikes are an important part of their life cycle in the polar bears.

late spring to early summer they actively hunt in the pack ice areas, where the seals give birth to their boys in the same period. However, the extended ice -free phases, due to climate change, are forcing the polar bears to harbor more and more time on land. As a result, they compete with each other in competition with the limited food resources and are increasingly less dependent on their natural prey.

adaptability and hopes

Despite these challenging conditions, there are hopes that the polar bears, scientifically known as Ursus Maritimus, may adapt to climate change. Researchers actively pursue how the behavior of the animals changes and whether they can develop new survival strategies to cope with the changed living conditions.

The dramatic situation of the polar bears in the Hudson-Bay serves as an urgent example of the far-reaching effects of climate change on the wildlife. It remains to be seen whether the polar bears are successfully able to adapt their way of life, or whether the sea ice is completely disappearing and their future remains at risk.