February 27 is International Polar Bear Day, an observance created to bring attention to the important role these alpha predators play in the Arctic ecosystem. Though polar bears aren"t endangered—their current conservation status is "vulnerable"—these magnificent beasts have become a sort of mascot for the race to slow the melting of Arctic sea ice. The Arctic ice is crucial to the bears" survival, as they hunt the ringed seals that bob up through holes in the ice. As Arctic ice decreases, the polar bears" hunting ground does too.
Three cheers for polar bears!
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Red-necked grebes during breeding season
-
This reef is nowhere near the sea…
-
It s Independence Day
-
Join us in celebrating World Water Day
-
Mod gear
-
Salt of the earth
-
International Women s Day
-
Blue Lagoon spa, Grindavík, Iceland
-
Flowers by the sea
-
Go climb a tree
-
Eastern grey kangaroos in Australia’s Kosciuszko National Park
-
Gray days ahead in Monterey
-
Behold the mighty Aldeyjarfoss
-
Astronomy Day
-
Arctic fox in Norway
-
Rays on parade
-
A wild and scenic scene
-
Art over Amalfi
-
Mountain goats at Glacier National Park in Montana
-
Native American Heritage Day
-
Darwin Day
-
Fall comes to Pando
-
Looking back at Yellowstone, 30 years after the fires
-
A universe underground
-
A seabird gets schooled
-
Where fire meets water
-
Belgium celebrates its independence
-
Celebrating the Day of the Dead
-
International Sloth Day
-
Pretty poetic for a pit