THREATS TO THE POLAR BAR

Threats

The main threats to the survival of polar bear populations are:

Global warming (especially the melting of sea ice, and changes to marine food supply);

Contamination of food supply by toxic chemicals such as persistent organochlorine pollutants (DDT, dieldrin, dioxins, etc.) and heavy metals such as mercury;

Marine oil pollution and disturbance associated with increased industrial and shipping activities in arctic waters;

Disturbance to key habitats from industrial explorations and developments (e.g., denning concentrations in oil-gas rich areas); and

Over-hunting.