Polar bear's epic nine day swim in search of sea ice (BBC)

eppur_se_muova

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Tue Jan-25-11 02:40 PM
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Polar bear's epic nine day swim in search of sea ice (BBC)

By Ella Davies
Earth News reporter

A polar bear swam continuously for over nine days, covering 687km (426 miles), a new study has revealed.

Scientists studying bears around the Beaufort sea, north of Alaska, claim this endurance feat could be a result of climate change.

Polar bears are known to swim between land and sea ice floes to hunt seals.

But the researchers say that increased sea ice melts push polar bears to swim greater distances, risking their own health and future generations.
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"This bear swam continuously for 232 hours and 687 km and through waters that were 2-6 degrees C," says research zoologist George M. Durner.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9369000/9369317.stm

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Hydra

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Tue Jan-25-11 03:01 PM
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1. At least this one didn't get shot at the end

I remember the one who somehow made it to Iceland where his reward was a bullet.

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stuntcat

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Tue Jan-25-11 08:00 PM
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3. I remember about that, just shameful

It's not that particular bear, but I have a photo on my wall here of men with guns standing over the polar bear they killed, typical proud hunting photo. And I'm supposed to feel good about my species? :eyes:

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Paper Roses

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Tue Jan-25-11 03:37 PM
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2. Stories like this break my heart. We have made such a mess

of this planet. Wildlife has been the first to suffer. We have ruined their habitat. Taken their space for our own needs. I have no love or sympathy for people who profit from this.

I usually avoid reading stories like this, it makes me cry.

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