AI
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 1:33:08 AM
Can we save polar bears by moving them to Antarctica?
© Daniel J. Cox/Natural Exposures
Answered by polar bear scientist Scott Schliebe of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. "Although it may seem an obvious solution, the risks outweigh the benefits."
Q. I am writing concerning the plight of polar bears due to sea-ice loss in the Arctic. It occurs to me that one possible way out, that I have not so far seen considered, is simply to move a sufficient number of polar bears to a promising spot on the Antarctic ice pack where the species might get a fresh start. Some areas seem to abound with seals. I can imagine there would problems in transporting them, but I have never seen consideration of this simple approach.
A. This question comes up from time to time from well-intending individuals. While intuitively the initial concept may seem to have merit, a closer examination indicates that it is not a simple solution and includes a great deal of downside risk. I believe it would be unwise to translocate or introduce polar bears into Antarctica for a number of reasons, some of which follow.
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-polar-bears/what-scientists-say/antarctica
.. no, i didn't wonder just bumped into it, then thought, oh well, in case there are any parents out there whose kids might ask ..
© Daniel J. Cox/Natural Exposures
Answered by polar bear scientist Scott Schliebe of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. "Although it may seem an obvious solution, the risks outweigh the benefits."
Q. I am writing concerning the plight of polar bears due to sea-ice loss in the Arctic. It occurs to me that one possible way out, that I have not so far seen considered, is simply to move a sufficient number of polar bears to a promising spot on the Antarctic ice pack where the species might get a fresh start. Some areas seem to abound with seals. I can imagine there would problems in transporting them, but I have never seen consideration of this simple approach.
A. This question comes up from time to time from well-intending individuals. While intuitively the initial concept may seem to have merit, a closer examination indicates that it is not a simple solution and includes a great deal of downside risk. I believe it would be unwise to translocate or introduce polar bears into Antarctica for a number of reasons, some of which follow.
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-polar-bears/what-scientists-say/antarctica
.. no, i didn't wonder just bumped into it, then thought, oh well, in case there are any parents out there whose kids might ask ..
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
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