Polar Bears to be Protected Under the Endangered Species Act
MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Hesshaus
Communications Manager
shesshaus@ecotarium.org
(508)929-2738
May 14, 2008
(WORCESTER, Mass.) -- The EcoTarium has a special interest and concern in the plight of polar bears world wide given that one of our most beloved wildlife inhabitants is Kenda, Massachusetts' only polar bear. The EcoTarium has cared for polar bears since the early 1970s when Polar Bear Plaza was built as a state-of-the-art habitat and housed two adult bears, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Kenda was born here in 1983 and this December will mark her 25th birthday. In Kenda's honor, we are pleased to provide our guests with some information on the status of the species as well as provide links to more in-depth information.
On May 14, 2008 the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that polar bears are to be accorded "threatened species" status under the Endangered Species Act. The decision is based on data gathered over the previous year by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, showing a trend in decreasing ice cover in the Arctic where polar bears live. Ice is a primary habitat for polar bears without which they cannot survive. According to USGS research "Projected changes in future sea ice conditions, if realized, will result in loss of approximately two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population by the mid 21st Century." However, the Department of Interior also notes that based on actual observations over the past three decades, trends in sea ice decline may be underestimated.
For more information, the following links are suggested:
EcoTarium polar bear web page www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080514a.html (US Department of the Interior) www.nationalgeographic.com (National Geographic) http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/polarbearcam/video_highlights.html (National Geographic Polar Bear cam) www.usgs.gov (US Geological Survey)
EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, offers three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, Massachusetts' only digital planetarium, and a narrow-gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Parking is free. For information, visit www.ecotarium.org, call (508) 929-2700 or email info@ecotarium.org.
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