"New Research Uncovers Disturbing Connection Between Climate Change and Polar Bear Lactation"
In a recent study, Louise Archer, a Polar Bears International Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Scarborough, and her team shed light on a phenomenon that was long suspected but hadn't been conclusively proven. The study focused on the impact of climate change on polar bear lactation, revealing unsettling insights.
Historical samples played a crucial role in this research. Polar bears primarily rely on sea ice as a platform for hunting seals. However, as climate warming in the North diminishes sea ice, these majestic creatures are spending more time on land. The research team, comprised of scientists from the University of Toronto, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Polar Bears International, examined polar bear milk samples dating back to 1989 and 1994, collected in Canada's western Hudson Bay.
The results of this research indicate that when polar bears spend extended periods fasting on land due to the reduction in sea ice, their physical condition deteriorates. Consequently, they produce milk with lower energy content or even stop lactating altogether, impacting the growth rate of cubs.
The study classified polar bear cubs into two age groups: "cubs-of-the-year" (less than a year old) and "yearlings" (cubs aged one to two years). After approximately three months on land, the research showed that:
- The probability of a mother with cubs-of-the-year lactating initially stood at 53%, but it decreased to as low as 35% for females with yearlings.
- In cases where mother bears continued to lactate with one cub, the energy content of their milk decreased by 50% after three months on land.
- For lactating females with two cubs, milk energy plummeted by more than 75%.
Dr. Archer highlighted, "Females with cubs-of-the-year seem to be more willing to sacrifice and continue lactating at a lower body condition than females with older cubs."
The western Hudson Bay polar bear population is particularly vulnerable to climate change, experiencing the effects of climate warming and sea ice loss more rapidly than other populations. The region's accessibility has provided vital historical data, allowing for comparisons with contemporary findings.
Dr. Archer emphasized that this study is only the beginning of better understanding how climate change impacts bear health. She stated, "If females are forced to reduce their investment in lactation, how will that impact the survival of cubs and then scale up to impact the overall population dynamics if we continue seeing sea ice loss in the future?"
This research raises critical questions about the future of polar bear populations in a changing climate. It underlines the urgent need for continued research and the adoption of measures to address the impact of climate change on these majestic creatures.
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