Polar Bear adaptation to the wintery and bitter Northern climate is one of nature’s marvels. The shifting sea ice, where polar bear live, is one of the unkindest and most relentless climates on planet earth.

It’s only in modern evolutionary time that bears adjusted to arctic sea life. It commenced during the Ice Age, in the northern seas, when the seals needed to breathe and mate near the water’s surface. By doing this, the seals placed a rich year-round food source near a population of brown bears, who then began to inhabit the ice, developing into something similar to the polar bear of today, around 100,000 years ago.

Weighing about 330 to 1,760 pounds, the length of the polar bear’s body is approximately 6.6 to 10 feet. The male body is usually bigger than the female. The polar bear, akin to the brown bear, is heavy and heavyset. It has an drawn out neck and small head. Its fur, normally white, occasionally appears yellow, due to oxidation.

A polar bear has black skin, which assists it’s adjustment to the Arctic temperature, absorbing and holding heat from the sunlight. It is unquestionably well attired for the weather with a layer of fat more than 4 inches thick, allowing for efficient insulation. The dense fur on its feet (its foot is about 9 inches wide and 12 inches long) allows for warmth and traction. Since each foot is so big, it acts as a practical snowshoe.

It adjusts well to swimming with its wide front paws that serve as paddles and when swimming underwater it lays the small ears flat for protection, and its nostrils close under water. It paddles at about 6 and one-half miles per hour –forepaws only, hind paws trailing–and can remain under water for about 2 minutes. The hairs of its waterproof coat are hollow which is an effective insulator and increases the bear’s buoyancy while swimming.

A polar bear has a keen sense of smell, sensing prey at a distance of about 20 miles. Although little is known about its sense of touch (its eyesight and hearing is acute), a polar bear is able to manipulate varied objects with great dexterity.

With canine teeth larger and malariform teeth sharper than those of different bears, the polar bear is the most carnivorous North American bear.

A polar bear inhabits Arctic islands, sea ice, and water and continental coastlines. It favors the sea ice habitat, with water channels or cracks through the ice, next to continental coastlines or islands. Some polar bears spend part of the year on land, although in warmer climates a bear could become stranded. Most pregnant females spend the autumn and winter on land in maternity dens.

A polar bear journeys throughout the year within single home ranges, which are inclined to be larger than for other mammal species because of the alterations in sea ice from year to year and even season to season. Small home ranges (19,000 to 23,000 miles) can be found near Canadian Arctic Islands, while larger home ranges can be found in the Bering or Chukchi Sea areas. The polar bear remains in the general area during the same time of year. A polar bear walks 19 miles or more per day for several days, although some are capable of much more than that. One can only hope that polar bear adaptation will continue, as their habitat area shrinks and the pressures of civilization continue to encroach on the the natural homes where the polar bear calls home.

Teddy bears have always been cute and cuddly, but no one realized how marketable they were until the 1980s. This was the decade that would begin the teddy bear campaigns, bears would be used in television shows, commercials and storybooks. They were already in movies and books but they’d never actually put one in a commercial. Once people began seeing these commercial teddy bears they wanted one for their very own, which the company was happy to oblige by for a nominal fee. Consumers were now getting interested in their product, watching their ads and telling others.

The Coca cola bears have become very popular. It seems that every year they have a new commercial out promoting the drink. These cute little teddy bears first started appearing in 1992 with the “Northern Lights” commercial. This was when the animated polar bear went to the movies and ended the night drinking a coca cola while watching the Northern Lights. Once this commercial started showing these teddy bears were flying to the shelves and anyone that collecting teddy bears or Coca Cola items were buying them.

The Snuggle bear teddy bears have been around since 1983 when they first started floating down on our television sets. You might remember the Snuggle bear from the fabric softener commercials as he dropped down into a basket of soft sheets. You’ll find Snuggles on every product sold by the company today.  

By 2000 companies started noticing that those cute little teddies bears really helped sell products. At this point Charmin would introduce their “Call of Nature,” commercial with their own Charmin bear and in 2001 a bear cub was added to the commercials.

The future holds many commercialized teddy bears for us; I can’t wait until the next one airs. Who can resist a teddy bear, especially when he’s selling something.

This continues the description of our train ride from Cochrane, Ontario to Moosonee, Ontario. The Polar Bear Express runs during the summer months with a train connecting the two cities during the remainder of the year. Ontario Northern Rail Road is the only transportation connecting these two cities as there are not roads.

The last fact of significance about the track between Cochrane and Moosonee is that the bridges coming into Moosonee were considered “upside down.” An interesting term because the supporting structure for the bridge is on top of the bridge instead of being underneath, therefore they are called “upside down.” If there were supports underneath the bridge, melting ice in the spring would destroy them. On each side of these bridges I could see the supporting structures about 4 or 5 feet in height. There were several small bridges we passed over which are upside down.

During the ride we had seen shacks were people lived but they were scattered. Nearing Moosonee one could tell that the population was increasing although Moosonee has only 3500 residents. Moose Island Factory is a different town which we will visit tomorrow. Tax’s were abundant, waiting to take riders to their destination.

We are in Moosonee, Ontario, Canada! This is the farthest north we have ever been. As it was raining we escaped into the train station. It is a small waiting area for the return trip. Checking my tickets, I found the name of the bed and breakfast where we are staying. A small sign said it was a five minute walk. Off we went. The rain was not bad and had slowed by the time we arrived. Welcoming us at the door, the owner was surprised we had walked as a taxi had been commissioned to carry three couples staying here. All were arriving by foot power!

It is a modern, quaint little home, built for guests. One couple is from Illinois, the other resides near Toronto. After introductions and finding our room we were ready to explore. No longer raining we walked the dirt roads to the river, where we caught up with the other two couples. My wife and I had lagged behind to pull on a second sweat shirt, one with a hood. I remembered our jackets about 20 or 30 miles after we left? They are hanging in our closet at home.

One couple wanted to purchase tickets for the excursion tomorrow. Asking about dinner one couple had a recommendation of a restaurant from the owners of the bed and breakfast. During our exploring a man was outside, and I asked him about where to eat. He identified us as tourists because it had not been too long since the train arrived and we were just walking around seeing the sights. His recommendation was for the same restaurant. So, it is settled.

Separating from the others we visited the local grocery and merchandise store. Weight for the meat is expressed in kilograms although the prices didn’t seem extreme. I stopped by the train for pictures as it was waiting for the return trip to Cochrane. Ending our walking around town we visited with the owner while I stood by the wood heater.

One weather website, wundeground dotcom shows the temperature as 51 “F”. We felt it all! Whenever the owner expects a full house (4 or so rooms) she will fax the grocery in Cochrane with her order. Train shipping costs added to the bill still are less than local prices. To go to the mall the journey begins on this same train. The mall is in Timmins, about 60 or so miles from Cochrane. During the winter an “ice road” allows them access to points north. A foot of water is actually poured on the existing ice and allowed to freeze, making the ice road. Summer thaws prevent that luxury.

You have my permission to reprint and distribute this article as long as it is distributed in its entirety, including all links and copyright information. © Lloyd Mize 2007

I’ve embarked on a journey of jet-lag so hard heart, it could challenge an astronaut. Borneo beckons because I’ve never been there. A meager 5 hours to LAX, 12 to Tokyo, 7 to Singapore and 3 to Kota. Mind you this is just one way not plus layover epoch.

Seating in nation brand, I require my body will burn to a condense, my muscles waste, pores clog and I’ll balloon with “jet stomach” but it’s ok. Conclusion is, I passion airplanes. The near psychosis of this that it’s only a 5 day vacation and I’m spending virtually as much time on land as I will in the air.

The best benefit of my job are the site inspections, that is to witness first-hand what my groups will experience if a destination is new to me. This is far on my earth. Before departure, I surveyed links asking them, “Where is Borneo?” Only 10% answered right. This time I transport Terry and surprise of his strength in tow. Nevertheless he proves to be a good aviation soldier.

On our arrival journey in, I see glossy fair beaches, turquoise reefs and coconut trees that coverage out as far as the eye can see. At the airport, martin greeted us who will direct us and answer the 7,000 questions I’ve ready on this land. It’s sauna hot.

We move out elapsed cocoa and tea plantations for our first route inhabit at Shangri La Tanjung Aru, an oasis of luxury right on the South China Sea. In the aloofness are 5 coral islands. A stunted quayside traverse will deposit you to any one for snorkeling the sea caves and world-period diving. Farther out is Pulau Tiga with its mud volcanoes where the first Survivor string was shot.

Here we’re stained like a fasten of pot bellied pigs with an upgraded suite with fruit and orchids as well as a beachside knead. I feel like I’ve reached Nirvana with a tune of “I’m not precious” but I revel in all the services. Its natural playtime with activities provided here. And the spectacular Malaysian rock breakfasts should be filmed by the Food Channel.

Kota Kinabalu (aka KK) is the resources of Sabah with 340,000 inhabitants. My expectations of Borneo were of 5ft. Observer lizards and cranium hunting ethnic chiefs, but here I’m greeted with Starbucks and mega-malls.

The city is tattered and struggling hard to explain itself. Establishing by the British in 1881, it also has a lot WWII narration. The city’s setting is the breathtaking 13,600 ft. Mt. Kinabalu, UNESCO W.H. Site for being the most bio-diverse mountain on earth.

It holds an undivided ecology and is a botanical paradise. There’s an astonishing array of unusual flowers and fauna such as insect drinking plants, funky fungi and raffelsia, the worlds core flower of 3ft. Petals. It takes 2 living to bud and lasts just 7 time.

The swanky National Park is the mass of Singapore. Hillside tribes reside on the slopes. The mountain is scared to them as they think it is the resting place of their ancestors departed spirits.

For limitless time we tour museums, handicraft markets and water village. I buy gifts of pearls, organic teas, brunette, batik and baskets. As Americans, we feel like VIP tourists as most visitors are from Australia, UK, Japan and Europe.

The locals are so respectful and polite. There are 30 ethnic groups talking 80 different languages who live harmoniously together. Many are animists who worship all living clothes. The focal tribes are the Dusuns with their female priestesses, the Bajau’s known as the “cowboys of the sea” and the Murats who live in standard longhouses. They are descendants of the notorious regulate hunters who once intensely secluded their territories and adorned their homes with “trophies” that were severed heads of their invaders.

Many here look Polynesian. Bahasa Malay is the main speech, a dialect that sounds to me like they’re tongue in tongues. Second speech is English.

In August I bring 2 groups here. We’ll input the interior to determine the essence of Borneo with its virgin rainforests, lavish everglade and enough nature to feel you’ve entered a living zoo.

We’ll learn of the society and history but the thrilling part for me will be since the erratic species of pigmy elephants, Sumatra rhino, giant crocs, bearded pigs, gibbons, macaques and omni-donate trunk monkeys (the one’s with Jimmy Duranti noses.)

The highlight will be Sepilok, the major gorilla refuge where we can get close and private with these “windswept men of Borneo.”

Evenings by the ocean here provide a fantastic beauty that envelops one in serenity and it’s fully romantic. I **** to permit but it’s time to call another route I have booked for my groups.

The Shangri La Rasa Ria is a slice of heaven where one can do nothing or everything. There’s morning yoga, Tai Chi, golf, ATV’s, pigs, parasailing, a giant spa and more. Classes are given in Malay prose, cooking, skirt wrapping, beading, waft pipes and weaving. Nevertheless what makes this resort specially-special is its Nature Reserve.

The hotel helps furnish orphaned orangutans here. If the jungle continues to decline, these gentile creatures will face extinction in the windswept. Dr. Galdikas of OFI (Orangutan Foundation Int.) severely predicts, “Unless severe action is full quickly, these forests could be one in 5 to 7 living and the lunatic primate with them.”

We listen a scold by a ranger to learn about the “man of the jungle,” world’s back prevalent ape. Genetically they are 96.4% creature and are considered the most sentimental creatures on earth. Trail led us up mountain slopes to outlook 7 confined baby orangutans, most orphaned from illegal logging that ruined their homes.

Unlike other primates, they prefer live over fighting. “Limon” had a tough early life. His mother was killed and eaten by plantation staff. They kept him as a pet chained to the edge of a stiff coop for 4 being awaited Forest Police rescued him. When he here, he was a sack of bones and final.

For 10 days he refused to eat until one day, a cute pineapple misused his life. He devoured it in entirety and since then, Limon hasn’t clogged drinking. Now he’s 5 epoch heavier and stuffs himself stupid. On graduation, he will be released back into the forest.

I look forwards to my proceeds and experiencing the true numinous Borneo. The best journey is always the one vacant home. As I embark Singapore Airlines, I feel I’ve gained 6 kilos from all the seafood I consumed. I doze like a baby on the long heave home via Taipei. The miracle of it all is that my check luggage managed to chase me 19,000 miles roundtrip and the verity that I still adoration airplanes.

n in the newspaper, or from a dog breeder who is selling on the internet or even from your local pet store. But clearly the best idea would be to adopt one from one of those numerous animal care centers.

By adopting a dog, one can add a new relation to your life. As most of the animals in the shelter are stray dogs, adopting a dog naturally means that one more animal is taken off the streets. You can also save the life of the animal by adopting it. Most people will recommend the idea of adopting an animal just for the sake of these very reasons though there are a lot of other reasons as well that would strengthen the idea of adoption. A dog from a shelter would most probably been given the required dosage of all vaccines and in addition adopting a dog from a shelter means that the shelter would be able to take in a dog that would require care.

You can also take confidence that a dog from an animal shelter would have been given complete checkups for any medical ailments and also given proper treatment and vaccination as well. It is a much safer option than getting a dog from some donor who is giving them away for free.

Not all the dogs taken up by an animal shelter are stray dogs. Shelters also take in dogs from owners who do not wish to maintain a dog anymore. From such owners, the shelters are able to collect proper details about the dog with regard to its nature and specific behavior. While the information given by the owner may vary depending on the true nature of information given by the owner, in most cases it proves to be pretty much accurate.

The presence of animal shelters in any town or city is a blessing to the town itself as it is these animal shelters that keep these animals off the streets and breed them to be tame and healthy animals. Most animal shelters are private initiatives by individuals and hence run on very stringent budgets. They hence are not able to take up widespread work and are limited to a certain number of animals. They can provide service to more animals only under the condition that animals which are in good health are taken off their hands by people who are interested in adopting a dog. They also have the option of Euthanasia which is not preferred and is taken as a last measure when there are no other options for the dog’s survival. It would be best if everyone who wishes to get a new dog adopts one from an animal shelter and give the dog a chance to live.

Swimming with dolphins in the wild is an amazing experience because you get the opportunity to interact with these incredibly friendly and intelligent animals on their own turf.

Unlike captive dolphins who have no choice but to interact with human beings whether they want to or not, wild dolphins can choose whether they want to stick around and swim with you and if they don’t they have the freedom to simply disappear into the deep blue sea which makes it all the more special when they do decide to stay (which occurs on a frequent basis).

There is a huge debate raging about the ethics of swimming with captive dolphins and even though there are definite benefits for humans (treatment for depression and disabilities) captivity is harmful to the dolphins as they suffer from stress and illness and have a much shorter life expectancy than similar dolphins in the wild. The demand to swim with captive dolphins also encourages capture from wild populations that are already under threat which is very detrimental to the environment.

On the other hand, studies conducted on the effects of humans swimming with dolphins in the wild have shown that there seem to be no ill effects to the animals if it is done responsibly and sensibly (not by chasing and herding them or noisy splashing in the water).

The jury is still out because long term trends need to be taken into consideration but until such time as the scientific uncertainty is cleared up or the dolphins move away because they are feeling harassed, responsible swimming with wild dolphins is an ethical way to interact with them and tourism revenues generated provide a strong incentive for dolphin conservation.

So if you have a dream is to go swimming with dolphins, going the wild route with an ethical and responsible operator is the way to do it. Here are the top five places in the world to swim with wild dolphins…

1. Kaikoura, New Zealand

The best place in the world to swim with wild dusky dolphins because the success rate of finding and swimming with the pods is very high. The dolphins are attracted to the nutrients in the water that are available due to a 1200 meter trench situated just off the coast.

2. Oahu and Kona, Hawaii

You will find spinner and spotted dolphin here and some of the boat operators boast a 99% success rate of finding the pods on day trips.

3. Azores Archipelago

If you want dolphin variety then this is where you will find it as up to eight different species call this home and it’s possible to see super pods of up to 1000 individuals here too.

4. Bimini, Bahamas

One of the advantages of swimming with dolphins here is the fact that the water is very warm, shallow and clear but it’s important to remember that these are wild creatures and 20% of the time they don’t come closer to the boat and rather swim away.

5. Red Sea, Egypt

Spinner and bottlenose dolphins can be found in these waters and travel operators have a very good record of finding dolphin pods in this area.

When I was talking to my daughter, who was seven years old at the time, about adopting a panda, I neglected to explain the concept properly. She asked me if our house was big enough for a panda and what would we feed it on! Much as I would really like a pet panda, I don’t think I’d cope very well. I remember that episode of The Simpsons when Bart won an elephant. Animals for Adoption, as far as wild animals are concerned, is not so hands on.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have an adoption scheme that works very well. The idea is to choose an animal from their Animals for Adoption program and commit to paying an amount of money each month. The money goes towards the conservation of that animal in it’s natural surroundings. The WWF doesn’t operate zoos but is committed to preserving endangered species in their natural habitat.

The choice of animals that the WWF offers is the Giant Panda, Orangutan, Bottlenose Dolphin, Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant and Black Rhino. The Animals for Adoption scheme enables you to feel part of the excellent work that the WWF does. On joining the scheme and choosing your individual animal, you receive a certificate, a photograph of the animal and a soft toy. You also get a fact sheet about the species and information on how to be environmentally aware.

Each species is on the endangered list for one reason or another and would be in an even worse state if not for the public support of the WWF and similar organizations.

Animals for adoption plays an important part in conservation and raising awareness.

The Giant Panda is greatly affected by forest clearing for timber and agriculture. There is also the problem of overgrazing. Habitat destruction is also a problem for the Orangutan, as land is cleared for agriculture and commercial logging. The Borneo and Sumatra islands are now the only places left on Earth where wild Orangutans can be found.

Bottlenose Dolphins have their own problems at the hand of humans. The oceans are increasingly polluted and dolphins are frequently caught up in fishing tackle. As the shipping lanes become busier, they are in danger of colliding with ships. The Animals for Adoption scheme is vital for the depleted numbers of Bengal Tiger in Nepal, who are in constant danger from poachers. It’s hoped that the patrols that have been put in place can help the situation.

The demand for the horn of the Black Rhino has made this species very rare. The powder derived from the horn has long been a favored ingredient for traditional Chinese medicine. Again, habitat clearance for agriculture and logging is putting the Asian Elephant under threat. Animals for Adoption is one way to show you care about all these endangered animals.

1. Dolphins are mammals;they nurse their young from mammary glands.

2. Dolphins can swim up to 260 m. below the surface of the ocean, although they are mainly shallow divers. 3. Dolphins can stay up to 15 minutes under water although they usually stay only a few minutes diving.

4. Dolphins use a technique called echolocation to find food and navigate.

5. Dolphins are social beings which live in groups and cooperate among each other for activities like getting food and calf rising.

6. There are 32 species of ocean dolphins and 5 species of river dolphins. 7. The largest dolphin is the “killer whale” (orca), which can grow to 6.1 meters long.

8. The most known dolphin is the “bottlenose dolphin” which can grow to 2.5-2.8 meters.

9. Dolphins are warm-blooded and their internal temperature is around 36 degrees. To conserve this temperature they are surrounded by a thick layer of fat called “blubber” just below the skin.

10. The average botllenose dolphin brain weighs 1500-1600 grams, while average human brain weighs 1200-1300 grs. This is not a conclusive evidence of dolphin intelligence as many other factors might be the cause of intelligence according to scientists. 11. Dolphins can make a unique signature whistle that may help individual dolphins recognize each other or perform any other kind of communication still unknown.

12. Bottlenose dolphins can swim 5 to 12 kilometers per hour, although they can reach up to 32 km/h.

DODOES have become a symbol of extinction. The last of these flightless birds died about 1680 on the island of Mauritius. Many of the species presently at risk live on islands too. In the last 400 years, 85 out of 94 species of birds known to have disappeared have been island birds.

Animals on vast continents are also in danger of extinction. Consider the tigers that once roamed throughout Russia. Now only the Amur subspecies remains in Siberia, and its numbers have dwindled to a mere 180 to 200. The tigers of southern China reportedly number only 30 to 80. In Indochina these animals face extinction “within ten years,” reports The Times of London. Likewise, in India, home to some two thirds of the world’s tigers, authorities estimate that these majestic creatures could be extinct in a decade.

Rhinoceroses and cheetahs are on the decline. Only about a thousand giant pandas are now found in the wild. Pine marten are nearly extinct in Wales, and red squirrels “may disappear from mainland England and Wales in the next ten to 20 years,” claims The Times. Across the Atlantic in the United States, bats are the most endangered land mammal.

The outlook in the world’s oceans is no less bleak. The Atlas of Endangered Species labels marine turtles as “perhaps the most endangered group” of sea creatures. Amphibians appear to fare better; however, according to New Scientist magazine, 89 species of amphibians have come to be “at risk of extinction” in the last 25 years. Some 11 percent of the world’s bird species face extinction too.

But what of smaller creatures, such as butterflies? The picture is similar. Over a quarter of Europe’s 400 butterfly species are in danger 19 being threatened by imminent extinction. Britain’s large tortoiseshell butterfly joined the dodo on the list of extinct species in 1993.

Growing Concern

How many species of creatures become extinct every year? The answer depends on which expert you ask. Though scientists disagree, all accept the fact that many species are in danger of becoming extinct. Ecologist Stuart Pimm observes: “The controversy about how fast we are losing [species] is fundamentally a debate about our future.” He adds: “Over the past centuries, we have accelerated the rate of extinction of species far beyond the natural rate. Our future is poorer as a consequence.”

Our planet, Earth, is like a house. Some people who care about endangered species study ecology, a term coined in the latter part of the 19th century from the Greek word oi’kos, “a house.” This field of interest focuses on relationships between living things and their environment. The 19th century saw a growing interest in conservation, heightened no doubt by reports of extinctions. In the United States, this led to the establishment of national parks and protected areas that offer creatures sanctuary. Presently, there are an estimated 8,000 internationally recognized wildlife protection areas worldwide. Together with a further 40,000 sites that help maintain habitat, they constitute nearly 10 percent of the world’s land area.

Many concerned people now espouse so-called green causes, either through movements that publicize the threats of extinction or those that simply educate people about the interdependency of life. And since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, a greater awareness of environmental issues generally characterizes government thinking.

The problem of endangered species is global and growing. But why? Are any attempts to prevent the extinction of species currently successful? And what of the future? How are you involved? Our next articles offer answers.