Wednesday, January 26, 2011

HUNGRY BEAR SWIMS 400 MILES











I know the bear would probably consider me a potential snack, but reports like this just depress the hell out of me.

“A polar bear swam continuously for over nine days, covering 687km (426 miles), a new study has revealed. Scientists studying bears around the Beaufort sea, north of Alaska, claim this endurance feat could be a result of climate change. Polar bears are known to swim between land and sea ice floes to hunt seals. But the researchers say that increased sea ice melts push polar bears to swim greater distances, risking their own health and future generations. In their findings, published in Polar Biology, researchers from the US Geological Survey reveal the first evidence of long distance swimming by polar bears (Ursus maritimus). "This bear swam continuously for 232 hours and 687 km and through waters that were 2-6 degrees C," says research zoologist George M. Durner. "We are in awe that an animal that spends most of its time on the surface of sea ice could swim constantly for so long in water so cold. It is truly an amazing feat." (Click here for more)

The secret word is Endurance

2 comments:

J.P. Lane said...

Another heart breaking polar bear story, another horrendous result of climate change. I support Environmental Defense and urge others to do so. When I read stories like this I wonder if it's already too late, but we have to stay focused on the future. We must if our planet is to survive.

Anonymous said...

That sure is sommee bear! I came here cuz I'm a hungry bear rawwwrrr. Give me food, you're not even a bear! I'm hungry like the hungry bear, my babi wants to eat too. My feet are computers! rawwwrrrrRRR