Polar bear

Polar bear

Polar bears swim in the coastal waters of the Arctic and roam its ice sheets. They have huge, slightly webbed front paws that they use to paddle and are exceptionally good swimmers. Polar bears have been observed swimming hundreds of miles from the coast, but they most likely float on ice sheets for most of the journey.

Polar Adaptations

Polar bears rely on a thick layer of insulating fur that covers a warming layer of fat in order to survive in one of the world's coldest climates. Even the bottoms of their paws develop fur, giving them protection from cold surfaces and a firm grip on ice. The bear blends in with the surrounding snow and ice because of its bright white coat. Polar bears have dark skin underneath their fur, though, so they can better absorb the sun's warming rays.

Hunting

These strong predators often target seals as prey. They visit areas of changing, breaking ice, where seals may surface to breathe, in quest of this quarry. They also hunt for breathing holes and ice edges. Polar bears will also eat corpses, such as those of deceased whales, if the chance arises. These arctic giants are in complete control of their surroundings and lack any natural adversaries.

Breeding and Conduct

Females construct their dens by creating deep snow drifts, which shield them from the arctic weather. They typically give birth to twins in the winter. For around 28 months, cubs stay with their mothers to learn how to survive in the far north. Females fiercely defend their offspring while their lone male mates offer no assistance. In fact, male polar bears have been known to kill their own pups.

Polar bears are beautiful and endearing, but they can be hazardous because they are strong predators who don't usually fear people. They frequently develop a liking for garbage when they are close to human habitations, putting humans and bears in dangerous contact.

IN THE ZOO

Polar bear

As was customary at the time, the San Diego Zoo's first polar bear was housed in a cage when it arrived in the summer of 1917. Some of the first barless habitats in the world were built thanks to a gift from Ellen Browning Scripps, and a new polar bear grotto was finished in 1926. The three polar bears could be seen up close and unimpeded thanks to the habitat's ground-breaking design, which astounded onlookers.

Our polar bears now reside at the Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge, a beautiful network of tundra habitats. The pool is obviously the center of attention at the plunge. You can see how agile and playful these Arctic bruins are from the underwater viewing chamber. In order to inspect all the individuals on show, they have even been observed swimming up to the glass. Following the water level up to the beach area, there are two sizable holes filled with mulch and natural substrate that the bears can use to dig around or rest, just like they would in the Arctic. These pits are accessible for outside viewing.

Wildlife care experts at the Experience Wall open up the glass panels so that you can engage with a polar bear through a mesh screen while standing only a few feet away. We're happy to be able to provide this special opportunity for interaction between people and polar bears.

Through interactive features, guests at Polar Bear Plunge get the opportunity to learn more about the polar bear. Visitors can view our big carbon graph, which displays historical carbon dioxide levels and compares them to current levels, as well as four-D models of the Arctic ice from 1989 and 2007 to see what is happening to the polar bears' environment.

Polar Bear Plunge's goal is to educate zoo visitors about the polar bear, its way of life, and conservation issues so that they will be better equipped to make changes that will benefit them and wildlife all over the world.

CONSERVATION

The polar bear is uniquely adapted to living on the Arctic Ocean's sea ice, and for thousands of years, it has been able to traverse the vast and pristine circumpolar Arctic virtually unharmed by human activity. Polar bear conservation is now in serious jeopardy due to climate change, as evidenced by the record-breaking sea ice loss and rising industrial human activities. Polar bears are forced to move onshore in the summer in regions where the sea ice totally melts. They may scrounge food to keep from going hungry, or they could fast until ice forms again. These bears have developed the ability to eat trash in some areas. Trash brings the bears into close proximity to people and presents the risk of injury or poisoning. It may be risky here.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's conservation experts and our US and Canadian partners have been working to create the most effective conservation plans to increase these species' populations for almost ten years. Every aspect is taken into consideration, including reproduction, denning, communication, the availability of prey, the creation of sea ice, climatic change, and the effects of human activity.

By allowing one of our polar bears, Tatqiq, to wear an accelerometer collar to track her activities, we are assisting the U.S. Geological Survey of Alaska. The movements of Tatqiq at the zoo will be tracked in order to provide a baseline for the behavior of bears wearing accelerometer collars in the Arctic. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey will gain new insights into the bears' daily behavior, movements, and energy requirements as well as a better understanding of the effects of climate change on polar bears thanks to the data collected from accelerometers on collared polar bears in the Arctic.

Currently, the Arctic is thought to be home to 22,000 to 27,000 polar bears. Polar bears still require our assistance. People must continue to provide these bears with sizable, secure habitats and work to maintain a clean environment free of chemicals that could contaminate the bears' diet. To us, the idea of an Arctic without polar bears is absurd.

By supporting the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, you are our ally in preserving and safeguarding animals all over the world.