The earth is getting warmer and warmer!! Even the weather in Australia goes unusual these days. What will happen to the animals in the North Pole?
Global
warming is a very real threat. The melting ice pack in the Arctic and North
Pole regions is visual proof. Animals that depend on the icepack to survive are
being affected, either by loss of habitat or from the disruption in the
delicately balanced Arctic food chain. Many are listed as either threatened or
endangered species.
Polar Bear
Polar bears depend on the Arctic icepack for survival.
Without access to the ice, the bears have little chance of catching their
normal prey, seals. In places like Churchill, Manitoba, polar bears are
spending more time waiting along the shoreline because Hudson Bay is taking
longer to freeze each year. Sometimes the bears will wander into town. This
results in the polar bears becoming too familiar with humans and in some cases
must be destroyed as nuisance bears. The polar bear was placed on the Federal
Endangered Species list in 2008.
Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox scavenges many of its meals by
following the polar bears. Fewer polar bears mean fewer polar bear kills, and
the foxes must make up for this food source in other ways. Warmer temperatures
are also causing red foxes to expand their territory into the Arctic regions.
This causes more competition for the available food sources. Though not
officially on the endangered list, the Arctic fox is named on the Center for
Biological Diversity’s list of threatened species.
Beluga Whales
Beluga whales are in danger because their food source,
the arctic cod, has decreased. These fish feed on a crustacean that in turn
feeds on ice algae. Less ice means less ice algae. Beluga whales in the Cook
Inlet not only have to deal with the global warming effects; they have to learn
to avoid shipping traffic and cope with industrial pollutants near growing Anchorage,
Alaska. Belugas were placed on the endangered list in 2008; it is estimated
only 300 to 400 whales exist today in the wild.
Pacific Walrus
The Arctic icepack is the Arctic walrus’ breeding
ground. These oversized seals with the long, ivory tusks haul themselves out of
the water to give birth and nurse their young. The ice also serves as a place
to rest. Walruses, who do not swim continuously like seals, sometimes ride the
ice floes from one foraging area to another. These animals also face threats from
oil and gas exploration and ocean pollution. In 2008, a petition to place the
walrus on the endangered list was filed. The decision is still pending.Reference:
that's wat a pity, I have never seem these amazing animals， thx for post this for teaching us wat r we missing...
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