POLAR BEARS IN PERIL

THERE are between ,00031,000 of these magnificent creatures in the Arctic, but experts believe that by 050 numbers may decline by more than 30 per cent. Here’s why...

CLIMATE CHANGE: To live, hunt and raise cubs, the bears need sea ice and it’s shrinking.

HUMAN/BEAR CONFLICT: Hungry bears may stray into villages, leading to conflict with man.

POLLUTION: Levels of toxic chemicals accumulate in animals and increase as they move up the food chain — with the polar bear at the top of the chain.

OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION: As sea ice declines, the Arctic is opening up to oil and gas drilling and increasing amounts of shipping, which may affect the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem.