DOCSLIB.ORG

Impacts of Climate Change on Polar Bears and Wolves

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Impacts of Climate Change on Polar Bears and Wolves Impacts of climate change on polar bears/grizzly bears /wolves Paul Buzzard, PhD Field Conservation Officer Polar Bears/GrizzlyMammals Bears at Kaktovik, AK Figure 1. Proposed area to study the degree of sympatry and potential for competition between polar and grizzly bears within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (brown area), North Slope of Alaska, 2015-18. Bone pile video Bone pile video Kaktovik, AK and Barter Island Polar Bear Numbers at Barter Island, September 7-26, 2002-2014 90 80 80 70 65 61 61 60 51 50 41 Minimum 40 36 37 35 Maximum Average 32 29 30 30 23 25 24 22 20 18 18 18 14 12 10 11 6 3 4 0 0 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Other prey switchingMammalsby Polar Bears Musk ox, walrus, geese eggs (88 eggs equals a seal), etc. Grizzly bear at Kaktovik bone pile Pizzlies / GrolarMammals Hybrid Bears 3 confirmed cases, many suspected; normally male grizzly and female polar; in one case father grizzly mother was grizzly-polar hybrid Wolves at IsleMammals Royale 2015: Opening of the Cotton Family Wolf habitat, support for the wolf-moose project Wolves Mammals DZS staff travelled to Isle Royale May 16-23 to meet with Profs. Peterson and Vucetich; look for wolf sign; and monitor moose on the island. Currently 2 wolves remain, and National Park Service will decide in Fall 2017 whether to reintroduce wolves. Wolves Mammals DZS staff travelled to Isle Royale May 16-23 to meet with Profs. Peterson and Vucetich; look for wolf sign; and monitor moose on the island. Currently 2 wolves remain, and National Park Service will decide in Fall 2017 whether to reintroduce wolves. Wolves and MooseMammals at Isle Royale Wolf Reintroductions: 1952, 2018? Wolves and MooseMammals at Isle Royale DZS staff at Isle Royale May 2016/2017 to meet with Profs. Peterson and Vucetich; look for wolf sign; and monitor moose. Wolves Mammals DZS staff travelled to Isle Royale May 16-23 to meet with Profs. Peterson and Vucetich; look for wolf sign; and monitor moose on the island. Currently 2 wolves remain, and National Park Service will decide in Fall 2017 whether to reintroduce wolves. Wolves Mammals DZS staff travelled to Isle Royale May 16-23 to meet with Profs. Peterson and Vucetich; look for wolf sign; and monitor moose on the island. Currently 2 wolves remain, and National Park Service will decide in Fall 2017 whether to reintroduce wolves. Wolves Mammals DZS staff travelled to Isle Royale May 16-23 to meet with Profs. Peterson and Vucetich; look for wolf sign; and monitor moose on the island. Currently 2 wolves remain, and National Park Service will decide in Fall 2017 whether to reintroduce wolves. Wolves and mooseMammals at Isle Royale Wolves Mammals DZS staff travelled to Isle Royale May 16-23 to meet with Profs. Peterson and Vucetich; look for wolf sign; and monitor moose on the island. Currently 2 wolves remain, and National Park Service will decide in Fall 2017 whether to reintroduce wolves. Wolves and MooseMammals at Isle Royale Wolf Reintroductions: National Park Service to decide late 2017 Mammals Thank you! Thank you! DZS at Isle RoyaleMammals.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Status of Wilderness Game in Alaska
    PROCEEDDIGS OF THE FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF STA.TE GAME AND FISH COMMISSIONERS TUCSON, ARIZONA JUNE 10-12, 1963 -l~******** OFFICERS Robert J. Smith, President Ben Glading, Secretary Arizona California Walter J. Everin, 1st Vice President Montana Walter T. Shannon, 2nd Vice President California THE STATUS OF WILDERNESS GAME m .ALASKA ~ 1 ' JAMES W,. BROOKS .ALASKA DEP.AR'IMEJNT OF FISH .AND GAME The commonly held belief that wilderness types of wildlife cannot exist in close proximity to man or his land developments has helped to stim­ ulate the recent establishment of immense game refuges in Alaska and a contin­ uing agitation for additional wilderness areas and national parks. The belief stems from the early and permanent decl:lnes outside of Alaska suffered by wilderness species such as the timber wolf, grizzly bear, mountain sheep, and caribou which apparently coincided with the advance of civilization. In most cases it has been difficult or impossible to precisely identify proximate causes for such declines, though direct killing by man, diseases, change or usurption of habitat, or simply the presence of man or his cultural elements in the environment were undoubtedly involved. In .Alaska at this time we r...ave an opportunity to observe the reaction of various species and populations of wilderness types of wildlife to known influences. Our game research and man­ agement programs in most instances were initiated prior to significant hun1an intervention in the ecology of these forms •. The present status of wilderness types of :wildlife in Alaska often reflects the response of these animals to known levels and :types of exploi­ tation or other disrupting influences.
    [Show full text]
  • WLD What Bear Goes Where MI Adaptation
    DNRE - Wildlife Division Michigan Adaptation What Bear Goes Where? Teacher Plan Nuts and Bolts Objective: Students will [1] identify three species of bears and their habitats, and [2] generalize that animals have adapted in order to live where they do. Grade level: K – 4 Time: about 30 minutes Group size: Three groups of three to six students each. Setting: Indoors The major purpose of this activity is for students to recognize that animals can adapt to living in different environments, as shown in the example of three different kinds of bears. Materials Pictures of the three North American bear species, three large sheets of paper with the outline of one bear species on each and labeled, construction paper, pencils, scissors, glue. Background Information Polar bears have long necks, slender heads, and are white in appearance. They live along the Arctic coasts, mostly on the polar ice. The carnivorous polar bears feed mainly on fish and seals. Their thick fur keeps them warm, and the webbing between their toes makes them good swimmers. Unlike other bears, they have fur on the soles of their feet. Grizzly bears can dig up most of their food and can catch fish with their long claws. They also have a distinctive hump between their shoulders. They eat roots, tubers, gophers, marmots, and smaller rodents as well as carrion (rotten meat). They Adapted from Project Wild K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide. Council for Environmental Education 2004. Lesson: What Bear Goes Where? DNRE - Wildlife Division Michigan Adaptation occasionally kill a larger animal for food. Grizzlies tend to live in the edges of forests but feed mostly in mountain meadows.
    [Show full text]
  • © Clark Creative Education Wild Animal
    © Clark Creative Education Wild Animal Conservation Relations, Patterns & Ideal Unit: Functions Time Range: 3-5 Days Supplies: Pencil & Paper Topics of Focus: - Creating Functions from Patterns - Rate of Change - Proportions Driving Question “How can conservation efforts save endangered species?” Culminating Experience A conservation plan Common Core Alignment: o Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) 8.F.4 values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models Calculate and interpret the average rate of change of a function (presented symbolically or as a F-IF.6 table) over a specified interval. Estimate the rate of change from a graph.★ F-BF.1 Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities.★ F-LE.5 Interpret the parameters in a linear or exponential function in terms of a context. Interpret the slope (rate of change) and the intercept (constant term) of a linear model in the S-ID.7 context of the data. Procedures: A.) In “Animal Tracking”, students will practice proportions and use animal tracking mathematics to estimate the size of a population. B.) In “Endangered Species or Invasive Species?”, students will analyze patterns, write functions and predict the future. The population data is from the IUCN and WWF; however, numbers were slightly adjusted to make it an authentic pattern assignment. C.) In "Surviving Extinction”, students will use data to analyze pre-conservation and post-conservation data to answer questions about once critically endangered species.
    [Show full text]
  • IUCN Briefing Paper
    BRIEFING PAPER September 2016 Contact information updated April 2019 Informing decisions on trophy hunting A Briefing Paper regarding issues to be taken into account when considering restriction of imports of hunting trophies For more information: SUMMARY Dilys Roe Trophy hunting is currently the subject of intense debate, with moves IUCN CEESP/SSC Sustainable Use at various levels to end or restrict it, including through increased bans and Livelihoods or restrictions on carriage or import of trophies. This paper seeks to inform SpecialistGroup these discussions. [email protected] Patricia Cremona IUCN Global Species (such as large antlers), and overlaps with widely practiced hunting for meat. Programme It is clear that there have been, and continue to be, cases of poorly conducted [email protected] and poorly regulated hunting. While “Cecil the Lion” is perhaps the most highly publicised controversial case, there are examples of weak governance, corruption, lack of transparency, excessive quotas, illegal hunting, poor monitoring and other problems in a number of countries. This poor practice requires urgent action and reform. However, legal, well regulated trophy Habitat loss and degradation is a primary hunting programmes can, and do, play driver of declines in populations an important role in delivering benefits of terrestrial species. Demographic change for both wildlife conservation and for and corresponding demands for land for the livelihoods and wellbeing of indigenous development are increasing in biodiversity- and local communities living with wildlife. rich parts of the globe, exacerbating this pressure on wildlife and making the need for viable conservation incentives more urgent. © James Warwick RECOMMENDATIONS and the rights and livelihoods of indigenous and local communities, IUCN calls on relevant decision- makers at all levels to ensure that any decisions that could restrict or end trophy hunting programmes: i.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Opinion for the USFWS Region 7 Polar Bear and Pacific
    Biological Opinion for the USFWS Region 7 Polar Bear and Pacific Walrus Deterrence Program Marine Mammals Management Office Anchorage, Alaska Prepared by: Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 101 12th Ave, Room 110 Fairbanks, AK 99701 January 13, 2014 1 Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 The Proposed Action....................................................................................................................... 3 Requirements for Deterrence Authorization ............................................................................... 4 Application packet .................................................................................................................. 4 Availability of Biologist for Advice ........................................................................................... 6 Methods of Deterrence ................................................................................................................ 6 Polar Bears .............................................................................................................................. 6 Walruses .................................................................................................................................. 8 Who
    [Show full text]
  • Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) Care Manual
    Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Care Manual POLAR BEAR (Ursus maritimus) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA Polar Bear Species Survival Plan® IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AZA Bear Taxonomic Advisory Group Association of Zoos and Aquariums 1 Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Care Manual Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Bear TAG 2009. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. Original Completion Date: 16 December 2009 Authors and Significant Contributors: See Appendix J AZA Staff Editors: Dr. Debborah Colbert, AZA Vice President, Conservation & Science Reviewers: Dr. Randi Meyerson (ACM Coordinator, Toledo Zoo) Dr. Joseph C.E. Barber, (AZA, ACM Consultant) Dr. Don Moore (SI-NZP, AZA Bear TAG Advisor) Dr. Barbara Kohn (APHIS) Dr. Steven Amstrup (USGS) Dr. Lydia Kolter (EAZA Bear TAG Chair) Barbara Henry, M.S. (AZA Nutrition SAG, Curator of Nutrition, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden) Ann Ward, M.S. (AZA Nutrition SAG, Director, Nutritional Services for Fort Worth Zoo) Cover Photo Credit: Randi Myerson Disclaimer: This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the current science, practice, and technology of animal management. The manual assembles basic requirements, best practices, and animal care recommendations to maximize capacity for excellence in animal care and welfare. The manual should be considered a work in progress, since practices continue to evolve through advances in scientific knowledge. The use of information within this manual should be in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning the care of animals.
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Sheet Regulations for Marine Mammal Parts Beach Found by Non-Natives
    FACT SHEET REGULATIONS FOR MARINE MAMMAL PARTS BEACH FOUND BY NON-NATIVES January 2001 Fish and Wildlife Service ! U.S. Department of the Interior The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages sea otters, polar bears and walrus in Alaska. This fact sheet addresses often asked questions about beach found marine mammal parts collected by Non- Natives. Similar Fact Sheets addressing Alaskan Natives and marine mammals are also available. For answers to specific questions please contact one of the offices listed on the back of this sheet. WHO MAY COLLECT BEACH FOUND PARTS? Federal regulations allow the collection of parts by Non-Natives (and Natives) from some dead marine mammals found on the beach or land within 1/4 mile of the ocean (including bays and estuaries), depending on land ownership. WHERE CAN BEACH FOUND PARTS BE COLLECTED? Regulations vary depending on land ownership. It is the collector=s responsibility to know whose lands they are visiting. Collectors should check for additional regulations established by individual landowners (Federal, State, or private) before removing any resource. Collection of all animal parts (including marine mammals) is prohibited on National Park Service lands. WHAT PARTS MAY BE COLLECTED? Skulls, bones, teeth or ivory from beach found sea otter, polar bear and walrus may be collected. The skins, meat and organs from these animals may not be collected. Animal parts (including marine mammals) of an archeological or paleontological origin may not be collected from Federal or State lands. WHAT ABOUT OTHER MARINE MAMMALS? The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has responsibility for managing whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises.
    [Show full text]
  • Polar Bear Brochure.Pdf
    Did You Know That: BOOKS TO READ 1. Polar bears are born in dens built into snow Animal Close Ups-The Polar Bear by Valerie banks? Tracqui (Massachusetts: Charlesbridge Publishing, The Polar Bear 2. A polar bear’s stomach can hold 150 pounds 1994). Grades 2 through 4. of food? That is more than 600 slices of pizza! Alaska's Three Bears by Shelley Gill (Washington: 3. Polar bears can smell a seal from 20 miles Sasquatch Books, 1990). Grades K through 3. away? 4. The Inuit word for polar bear is “Nanook?” Endangered! Bears by Casey Horton (New York: 5. A polar bear swims with its eyes open, and Marshall Cavendish, 1996). nostrils closed. Polar Bears by Emilie Lepthien (Chicago: Chil- drens Press, 1991). What is a polar bear’s favorite food? A polar bear’s favorite meal is the ringed Polar Bear Cubs by Downs Matthews (New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, seal, but it will eat any seal that it can catch. 1989). A polar bear is a very smart animal and it ©PMAM will try many different ways to catch a seal. WEB SITES TO VISIT The most common way is to wait by a seal’s breathing hole in the ice until a seal emerges. Seaworld: Polar Bears. Lots of information with a A polar bear likes to be clean and will wash great index. seaworld.org/en/animal-info/animal- itself often during its meal. infobooks/polar-bears If a polar bear cannot find a seal it will scav- Polar Bears International.
    [Show full text]
  • Wolf (Canis Lupus) Predation of a Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) Cub on the Sea Ice Off Northwestern Banks Island, Northwest Territories, Canada E.S
    ARCTIC VOL. 59, NO. 3 (SEPTEMBER 2006) P. 322– 324 Wolf (Canis lupus) Predation of a Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Cub on the Sea Ice off Northwestern Banks Island, Northwest Territories, Canada E.S. RICHARDSON1,2 and D. ANDRIASHEK1 (Received 31 October 2005; accepted in revised form 15 January 2006) ABSTRACT. We describe the apparent predation of a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cub by wolves (Canis lupus) on the sea ice just off the northwest coast of Banks Island, Northwest Territories, Canada. On 20 April 2004, while following the tracks of a female bear and two cubs-of-the-year in the snow during a helicopter survey, we noted that the bear tracks had been joined by several sets of wolf tracks. After following both sets of tracks for about 1 km, we observed a disturbed area in the snow with numerous overlying tracks. Upon landing and searching the site, we found the remains of a polar bear cub that the wolves had successfully separated from its mother and killed. This is only the second documented observation ever made of a polar bear killed by wolves. Key words: Ursus maritimus, Canis lupus, interspecific predation, Northwest Territories, Canada RÉSUMÉ. Nous décrivons la prédation apparente d’un ourson polaire (Ursus maritimus) par des loups (Canis lupus) sur la glace marine, tout près de la côte nord-ouest de l’île Banks, dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest, au Canada. Le 20 avril 2004, après avoir suivi les traces d’une ourse et de deux oursons de l’année dans la neige lors d’une inspection en hélicoptère, nous avons remarqué que les traces d’ours avaient été rejointes par plusieurs séries de traces de loups.
    [Show full text]
  • Polar Frontier: Media Kit
    POLAR FRONTIER: MEDIA KIT So, tell me about Polar Frontier… Polar Frontier represents a long-abandoned mining town and draws you into the Arctic Circle; connecting you to the animals that live in some of the coldest climates in the world. Completed and open to the general public in May 2009, this state-of- the-art interactive exhibit is home to two polar bears, two Alaskan brown bears and four Arctic foxes. Why is Polar Frontier the ‘coolest’ place to hang out? Not only are the inhabitants of Polar Frontier extremely ‘cool’, but Nationwide Insurance helped us create a 1.3 acre yard designed to be the ultimate habitat. Even cooler, the habitat includes a 167,000 gallon still pool that allows you to view the bears from above, at eye-level and while they are catching trout and other treats underwater. That’s not all! Polar Playground gives the kids a chance to play while parents relax and catch a bite to eat at Polar Grill. The kids’ Arctic adventure includes hopping from one piece of sea ice to another where they can build an igloo, slide down a snow bank with a polar bear family or play on an ice teeter-totter. Make sure they soar beneath a flock of snow geese on the child-friendly zip line before they leave! Polar Frontier, here? How did the Zoo make it happen? We have a lot of people to thank for making our polar dreams come true. This $20-million experience was made possible by the generosity of Franklin County residents and funds raised through a county property tax levy as well as corporate and private contributions.
    [Show full text]
  • Polar Bear Predation on Ice Inhabiting Pinniped Populations of Alaska
    Abstracts Eley, T .J. Jr., Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Polar Bear Predation ~Ice Inhabiting Pinniped Populations of Alaska At sea, polar bears, Ursus maritimus, feed primarily on ice inhabiting pinnipeds, particularly ringed seals, Phoca hispida, but polar bear food chain relationships are relatively unknown. In March 1976, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, in collaboration with the Fish and Wildlife Service, began intensive studies of polar bear predation as part of continuing research on the natural history and ecology of ice inhabiting seals. Preliminary findings are presented. During spring 1976, field studies were conducted at Cape Lisburne and Barrow, Alaska, where polar bears were tracked for approximately 4,000 bear miles. The diet of polar bears in the spring consisted of 92% ringed seal and 5% bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus). Carrion, cannabilism, arctic fox (A lopex !agopus) and walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) comprised the remainder of the diet. Primarily male ringed seals are taken. The amount of prey consumed is dependent upon the number and size of bears and the age of prey. Most prey are taken at breathing holes in the ice. Polar bear movements and population size appear directly dependent on ringed seal populations. The sex and age composition of ringed seals taken by bears are compared to the take by Eskimo subsistence hunters. - 236­ SCIENCE IN ALASKA 1976 Resource Development-Processes and Problems Volume I Proceedings of the 27th Alaska Science Conference Fairbanks, Alaska ALASKA DIVISION, American Association for the Advancement of Science .
    [Show full text]
  • Changing Arctic Ecosystems Polar Bear and Walrus Response to the Rapid Decline in Arctic Sea Ice
    Changing Arctic Ecosystems Polar Bear and Walrus Response to the Rapid Decline in Arctic Sea Ice The Arctic is warming faster than other 8.0 regions of the world due to positive climate ) feedbacks associated with loss of snow and 2 ice. One highly visible consequence has been 7.0 km a rapid decline in Arctic sea ice over the past 3 6 decades—a decline projected to continue and 6.0 result in ice-free summers likely as soon as 2030. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) 5.0 are dependent on sea ice over the continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean’s marginal seas. The continental shelves are shallow regions with high 4.0 biological productivity, supporting abundant marine life within the water column and on the 3.0 2012 sea floor. Polar bears use sea ice as a platform for Minimum sea ice extent (10 hunting ice seals; walruses use sea ice as a resting platform between dives to forage for clams 2.0 and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates. How 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 have sea ice changes affected polar bears and Year walruses? How will anticipated changes affect Summer sea ice in the Arctic is melting at an alarming rate. Arctic sea ice extent (shown them in the future? in pink in the map insets) declined to an all-time low on September 16, 2012. Data courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center; maps courtesy of University of Illinois. zones on land underlain by continuous and discontinuous permafrost.
    [Show full text]