The bears had been found orphaned, without a mother to guide, protect, or catch seals to feed them.
In 1997, San Diego Zoo was asked to provide sanctuary to the polar bears we care for by wildlife officials. Saving polar bears requires innovative thinking and collaboration with partners around the globe. Disappearing sea ice threatens the survival the species, and evidence shows that loss of sea ice is correlated with declines in a polar bear’s body condition, reproductive success, and survival. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Their habitat is literally melting away, as climate change endangers their existence. They have water-repellent fur and a thick layer of fat under their skin, which keeps them warm in subzero temperatures. In fact, their scientific name, Ursus maritimus, means sea bear. Intelligent, patient, and strong, they are built to rule the Arctic.Īlthough they are the largest land carnivore on Earth, polar bears are excellent swimmers and spend most of their lives traversing between sea ice floes. Standing up to 12 feet tall and weighing up to 1,600 pounds, polar bears have no natural predators. And for us at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, there are few other species that embody our commitment to saving wildlife more than these majestic bears, with the help of our innovative partners around the world. There is perhaps no other species that symbolizes the earth’s frozen oceans like the polar bear.
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