This week, we’re talking about one of the most beloved predators on the planet. When you think about the impact that climate change can have on animals, this may be one of the first species that you think of. Luckily, Alex got to talk with Dr. Andrew Derocher, a professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta. Dr. Derocher spent decades researching these animals, so we can’t wait for you guys to hear what he has to say. So, make sure you’re all bundled up, because we’re heading to the arctic to talk about polar bears.
“When they moved out on the sea ice, the polar bears just adopted this Zen like behavior. They’re so calm compared to grizzly bears.“ – Dr. Andrew E. Derocher
About Our Guest: Dr. Andrew Derocher
Since 2002, Andrew Derocher, Ph.D. has been a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Dr. Derocher joined the University after 7 years at the Norwegian Polar Institute as a research scientist studying polar bears in Svalbard and western Russia. His research over the last 38 years has focused on the ecology and conservation of polar bears but he has also studied grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, Dall sheep, caribou, ringed seals, Arctic ground squirrels, ermine, marbled murrelets, and peregrine falcons. His current research is focused on understanding the effects of climate change on polar bears. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers on bears. He is the past chair, and currently a member, of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group.
Organizations
Sources
- Polar Bears International
- Britannica: Polar Bear
- WWF: Polar Bear Facts.
- Which is the largest bear species on earth?
- Polar bears gorged on whale carcasses to survive past warm periods, but strategy won’t suffice as climate warms.
- National Wildlife Federation: Polar Bears.
- Polar Bears Are Eating Each Other As Climate Change Threatens Their Habitat.
- The Tower of London Menagerie
- Polar Bear Behavior
- Seaworld: Polar Bear Behavior
- Norwegian Polar Institute
- Polar Bears International
- Do pandas eat meat?
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