Gov Report; Polar bear population growing.

[Beendare]

In case you haven't seen it, a new study by the Canadian gov points to Polar bear populations growing.

Wait, weren't the antis wringing their hands just last year saying Polar bears were endangered?

i dunno, you be the judge, article posted on SCI website , First for Hunters- at link
Canadian Government Reports Polar Bear Population Growing, Threatens Inuit | Safari Club

The graphic symbol of the environmental movement is the emaciated polar bear – ostensibly in that state because of global warming. Critics of the vivid photographs claim that the pictures are taken of old, sick or diseased bears.

A controversial report has been released by the Canadian government claiming the polar bear populations are growing and a threat to native Inuit populations.

The report is disputed by environmental scientists who claim that the populations are not growing, but are moving closer to humans as they search for food.

“Wildlife experts often use images of emaciated polar bears to show how habitats are coming under threat due to ice shrinking and sea levels rising.

Wildlife experts said that the photos showed how the polar bears' habitat is coming under threat due to human-induced global warming.

However, a new report, drafted by the Nunavut government, completely contradicts these widely-held claims about declining populations,” reports The Daily Mail.

Polar bear close upThe draft report, which is set to be published by the end of this year, claims that polar bear populations are much higher than scientists estimated - and are actually increasing.

“Inuit believe there are now so many bears that public safety has become a major concern,” reports the Windsor Star. “Public safety concerns, combined with the effects of polar bears on other species, suggest that in many Nunavut communities, the polar bear may have exceeded the co-existence threshold.”

The report consists of information submitted from Inuit groups across Canada’s northern territories.

In a related study, the first formal count of polar bears in waters between the United States and Russia indicates they're doing better than some of their cousins elsewhere.

University and federal researchers estimate a healthy and abundant population of nearly 3,000 animals in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska's northwest coast, reported The Daily Mail.

It is estimated that Canada is home to 16,000 polar bears – 65 percent of the total global populations.

Approximately 600 are killed annually, mostly by Inuit hunters.

More at link......

 

[Beendare]

As a side note, PETA was too busy with their latest ridiculous stunt to take notice;

Not satisfied to let a moment go by without coming up with something more absurd than their last stunt, PETA is now calling on the town of Wool, a large village in the Purbeck district of Dorset, England, to change its name to ‘Vegan Wool.”

Claiming the name change would promote kindness to sheep, the animal rights group offered to provide the 2,000 households in the town with a cozy, cruelty-free blanket as incentive to adopt the change.

“It is a ridiculous request and it’s caused quite a stir in the village,” local counselor Cherry Brooks told the Bournemouth Echo.

“A few people are quite offended but most people seem to find it amusing,” said Brooks.

sarcastic sheepOne person wrote on the Wool Parish Clerk Facebook page: “Dear PETA, the name Wool is derived from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Welle’ after the springs. It might be an idea to do your research before you tell places to change their names for absolutely no reason at all. Love, Wool,”

Link to full story;
PETA – The Gift That Keeps On Giving…And Giving…And Giving | Safari Club

 

[Huntindog45]

I am going to take a wait and see on this one. seems their habitat is shrinking so many could be pushed into a smaller area....and therefore more are being counted and of course far more polar bear encounters.

 

[Trial153]

Wait and see, more data, longer time periods, ect ect..
Seems prudent to not jump the gun in either direction right now.

 

[Jimbob]

My understanding is that the polar bear population has been growing for some time. They were listed by the US government as a proactive measure because it was predicted that populations would take a hit because of climate change. The theory was that sea ice is changing so this means polar bears would be negatively affected. Those negative effects still have not been realized.

The local Inuit have been talking about more bears for a while.