The double continent of the Americas stretches from the Arctic in the north to the southern polar region and includes almost every type of biome found on our planet. This gives it an impressive biodiversity. The species conservation projects that we support face a wide range of problems, which are as diverse as the habitats. They include climate change, human-animal conflicts, poaching, mining, deforestation and overfishing.
White giants under threat
Global climate change poses a deadly threat to polar bears. Over the past 100 years, air temperatures in the Arctic have risen by an average of 5°C. This has dramatic effects: both the ice extent and the ice thickness have decreased massively in the last few decades. The ice melts earlier in spring and returns later in autumn. But polar bears depend on the Arctic pack ice. The ice is the only means they have to hunt their favourite prey, ringed seals. However, the period in which polar bears can hunt seals and build up sufficient fat reserves for the ice-free period is becoming shorter and shorter. This poses a threat to the polar bears’ livelihood.
A collar for science
Polar Bears International collects important scientific data on habitat use, distribution, reproduction rate and population size of polar bears in Canada's Hudson Bay through the Bear Tracker programme. Scientists regularly catch polar bears, examine them thoroughly under anaesthetic and then fit them with a radio collar. These collars enable the scientists to track all movements of the bears. It also has a special sensor that indicates how much time the bears spend in the water. The information gathered provides an insight into the effects of ice retreat in the Arctic. Only female polar bears are collared. Males have necks that are thicker than their head, which means the collar would simply fall off. The collars are very light for a polar bear and are programmed to automatically fall off after about 14 months.
Protecting the Humboldt penguin in Chile and Peru
Hellabrunn Zoo is a member of Sphenisco e.V., an association dedicated to the protection of the Humboldt penguin. The association works together with local conservationists and scientists in Chile and Peru to save the Humboldt penguin from extinction in its natural habitat.
