In 2008, the polar bear became the first animal listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) because of climate change.
If you viewed our Polar Bear Day slideshow, you learned that polar bears hunt exclusively from sea ice that melts away in the summer.
Each year, a polar bear must consume enough food during the feast to pack on a fat pad that will sustain them through the famine. Mother bears must pack on even more fat to sustain nursing cubs through the lean months.
For years, the polar bear’s hunting season has grown shorter and shorter, while the lean season lasts longer. Now they have to find more food in less time.
Tragically, a study published earlier this month in the Ecological Applications journal found that the shortened hunting season has led to polar bears becoming thinner and having fewer cubs.
We’ve set a goal of recruiting 2,008 new members and new monthly donors — in honor of the polar bear’s 2008 listing — to protect polar bears with a gift between now and Saturday night.
Yes, I want to help protect polar bears — sign me up!
John, you can be one of the polar bear’s greatest champions. Despite the enormity of the crisis we face, we still have the power to secure a better future for polar bears.
Will you do your part by making a donation today to fight climate change?
Thank you for giving polar bears a future,
Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership
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