Polar Bears Spotted Swimming With Cubs On Back
Source:Indiareport
Scientists have spotted polar bears carrying their cubs on their backs while swimming through icy waters, which they claim is vital for the survival of the litters in waters surrounding scattered ice.
According to them, the practice is new and the result of the bears having to swim longer distance in the sea -the prime seal-hunting territory for the largest land predators in the world -due to reductions in Arctic ice in the summer.
Travelling on the mother's back will mean the cub's body will be in direct contact with the adult's fur and a large part of the baby will be out of the icy water thereby reducing heat loss,'The Daily Telegraph'reported.
The data from the WWF-Canon polar bear tracker programme, which has been running since 2007 in the Arctic, indicate that tagged bears in Alaska have swum around 350 to 400 miles in the past four years.
Radio collars, which can only be fitted on the females as the males'necks are wider than their heads so the collars slide straight off, send signals via satellites monitoring the bears'movements to track their behaviour and help determine how they are affected by climate change.
Geoff York, polar bear specialist from WWF, said:"As the Arctic ice continues to melt, it is likely that polar bears are increasingly going to have to swim longer distances.
"Data from tagged bears near Alaska has indicated swims of 350-400 miles in the past four years and if polar bear cubs are forced to cover these distances, then it is vital for them to behave in a way that minimises heat loss.
According to them, the practice is new and the result of the bears having to swim longer distance in the sea -the prime seal-hunting territory for the largest land predators in the world -due to reductions in Arctic ice in the summer.
Travelling on the mother's back will mean the cub's body will be in direct contact with the adult's fur and a large part of the baby will be out of the icy water thereby reducing heat loss,'The Daily Telegraph'reported.
The data from the WWF-Canon polar bear tracker programme, which has been running since 2007 in the Arctic, indicate that tagged bears in Alaska have swum around 350 to 400 miles in the past four years.
Radio collars, which can only be fitted on the females as the males'necks are wider than their heads so the collars slide straight off, send signals via satellites monitoring the bears'movements to track their behaviour and help determine how they are affected by climate change.
Geoff York, polar bear specialist from WWF, said:"As the Arctic ice continues to melt, it is likely that polar bears are increasingly going to have to swim longer distances.
"Data from tagged bears near Alaska has indicated swims of 350-400 miles in the past four years and if polar bear cubs are forced to cover these distances, then it is vital for them to behave in a way that minimises heat loss.
Labels: india report, india report news, Research fact |
0 comments:
Post a Comment