Wild About! Polar Bears November 4, 2017

Transcription

1 Wild About! Polar Bears November 4, 2017 At a glance Through Zoo-wide efforts we will dedicate an entire day to bringing awareness to the plethora of problems facing polar bears and what we can do to help. Materials Any polar bear-related activities and biofacts provided by the education department. Posters and promotional materials provided by Marketing and/or the keeper department. Goal(s) 1. To bring awareness to how our everyday choices impact polar bears. 2. To connect species exhibited at the zoo to polar bears and polar bear conservation. 3. Provide relevant action steps the general zoo guest can accomplish, therefore allowing participants to feel hopeful and capable of making a difference. Objectives 1. Participants will explore the amazing adaptations of polar bears. 2. Participants will learn how global climate change has had a detrimental effect on the arctic ecosystem and reflect on their own global impact. 3. Participants will be able to discover how they can help polar bears right here in Maryland. This includes taking the thermostat challenge, decreasing carbon emissions (i.e. carpooling), and supporting Polar Bear International (PBI). 4. The entire zoo will work as a unit to show how wild we are about polar bears. Theme Our choices impact climates around the globe. Sub-theme(s) 1. By making smart choices we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change and save our sea ice. 2. Polar bears play an imperative role in maintaining ecosystem processes. 1

2 Background Unregulated commercial and sport hunting was the major threat to polar bears in the 1960s and 1970s. Pressure from commercial hunters using light aircraft and other modern methods was so great that the five polar bear nations reached a landmark accord to regulate these practices and conserve polar bears despite the tensions of the Cold War. The 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears was signed in Oslo on November 15 of that year by Canada, Denmark (for Greenland), Norway, the U.S., and Russia. It was the first time the five polar bears nations had come together on a shared wildlife conservation issue. It remains one of the strongest multilateral environmental agreements ever signed. Today, the primary conservation concern for polar bears is habitat loss and reduced access to their primary prey (seals) due to climate change, not harvest. Other challenges include increased commercial activities, pollution, disease, inadequate habitat protection (of denning and seasonal resting areas), and the potential for overharvest in smaller or declining sub-populations. The IUCN lists the polar bear as a vulnerable species, citing sea ice losses from climate change as the single biggest threat to polar bear survival. Polar bears rely on the sea ice to hunt, travel, breed, and sometimes to den. But the sea ice is rapidly diminishing due to a warming earth affecting the entire arctic ecosystem from copepods to seals to walruses. For polar bears this loss in sea ice means reduced access to prey, an increase in cannibalism, a drop in body condition and an increase in drowning. The loss of access to denning areas has also lowered cub survival rates. This is why Polar Bear International s primary call to action campaign is to help save the polar bear s sea ice. Easy ways to help: transportationchallenge.jpg At their 2014 meeting, the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group, reported that of the 19 populations of polar bears: 3 are declining, 6 are stable, 1 is increasing and 9 have insufficient data. Scientists predict that as the Arctic continues to warm, two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear within this century. Vocabulary Top Predator- species at the top of the food chain, with no predators of its own (aka apex predator) Climate- all weather conditions for a given location over a period of time Arctic- region at Earth s extreme north, encompassed by the Arctic circle Taiga- evergreen forest in cool northern latitudes, also called boreal forests Tundra-cold, treeless region in Arctic and Antarctic climates Carnivore- an animal that eats only meat (or other animals) Conservation- management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction or neglect Sustainable- able to be continued at the same rate for a long period of time Climate change- gradual changes in all of the interconnected weather elements on our planet Carbon footprint- the total amount of carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gasses, created through human activities each year Keystone species-a species that has a major influence on the way an ecosystem works. N.B. While not all of these words will be used with every activity, I want to ensure that everyone is speaking the same language. 2

3 Activities Polar Bear Watch Climate Change Ice Melt Activity Key Idea(s): Humans are part of the web of life Concept(s): Climate change; human effects on the environment Objective: To explore how a rapidly warming planet has a negative effect on the ice caps leading to a decline in polar bear populations. Background: Polar bears are adapted to life on the sea ice, which they rely on for reaching their seal prey. But the arctic sea ice is rapidly diminishing due to a warming Earth, affecting the entire arctic ecosystem, from copepods to seals to walruses. With the sea ice melting sooner and reforming later in the year, the fasting period for the bears stretches out. For polar bears, sea ice losses mean reduced access to food, lower cub survival rates, increases in drowning, loss of access to denning areas and an overall decline in population size. - Melting blocks - Small plastic polar bear toy - Ice in cooler or ice pack - Small container to hold blocks and water - Bio facts polar bear fur Level 1 (all ages) - Explain to participants that climate change can have an effect on polar bears population. Use one plastic block and one metal block. Place ice on the two blocks. The ice begins to melt quickly on the metal block (acts as a conductor and allows things to heat faster) but retains its shape longer on the plastic (acts as an insulator and keeps things cool for longer) block. Level 2 (all ages) - Ask participants which of the two blocks provides more hunting areas for polar bears- the plastic block or the metal block. Conservation Ask: Ask participants what they can do at home to help polar bears reduce, reuse, recycle! Encourage guests to participate in our Climate Change Challenge to explore the green actions they already do, and to learn new ones. There is a prize at the end of the hunt! Hunt Like a Polar Bear Key Idea(s): All living things are interconnected Concept(s): ecosystems; adaptations Objective: To discover why an icy habitat is essential for a polar bear s survival. 3

4 Background: Polar bears are perfectly adapted for life on the sea ice, and use it for both hunting and mating. Seals are the main prey that they hunt for on the ice. Polar bears especially like to eat seal blubber because it has a high fat content. They will sometimes eat walruses or whales trapped at holes in the ice, but seals are their most important food source. Some adaptations that help polar hunt on the ice include foot pads covered in papillae, or small black bumps, that help to provide traction on the ice. Their long, curved claws are effective for grabbing their prey and to grip the ice while walking. A polar bear s sense of smell is most acute and can detect a seal s breathing hole under three feet of snow and ice from more than half a mile away. A polar bear can also smell a seal on land from over 3 miles away. All of these adaptations make them perfect predators on the ice. - Clear Tub with foam board ice pack and ocean - Wooden dowels with string and magnet - Pictures of arctic marine animals - Bio facts polar bear skull Level 1 (all ages, younger children might need to be guided) Explain to participants that polar bears mainly eat seals, walrus, and beluga whales in the wild. Have participants use the wooden dowel with the string and magnet like a fishing rod. They should start by trying to catch each of the animals in the open water. Participants should then try to capture seals and walruses off the ice pack and/or whales out of the water at air holes in the ice. Level 2 (all ages, younger children might need to be guided) Ask participants which of the areas (ice or water) was easier to catch the animals? Polar bears will find their prey on the ice and in the air holes will be easier to catch than those out in the water. What do participants think would happen to polar bears if their ice were to disappear? Try to end on a conservation note! We can help out polar bears by decreasing our carbon emissions. Encourage kids to continue the three R s-reduce, reuse, recycle- but to also help out their parents by turning of light switches and pulling plugs when not in use. Having a reusable water bottle is another easy way to help out the polar bear! Polar Bear Scent Activity Key Idea(s): Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth Concept(s): adaptations Background: Polar bears have a tremendous sense of smell. Their long rostrum and delicate nasal bones provide a large surface area for olfactory receptors. They locate seals and pups on and in dens below the ice surface by scent. Several sources claim that polar bears can smell seals more than 20 miles away. If a polar bear doesn t smell a seal pup below the surface, it certainly will not waste energy breaking through the ice. Because they can never be sure when their next meal will be, conserving energy is very important to predators like the polar bear. 4

5 - Plastic ice blocks - Scent canisters with fish food - Plastic seals Level 1 (all ages, younger children might need to be guided) Place the ice blocks with scent canisters next to them around where you are standing. (Half of the ice blocks should have empty scent canisters while the other half should have scent canisters with fish food in them.) Place a plastic seal in the ice blocks that have the fish food scent canisters next to them. Explain to participants that they must use their sense of smell to find which ice blocks have a seal in them. If the scent canister next to the ice block does not have a fishy smell that means there is no seal in that ice block and they should move onto another one. If there is a fishy smell, they should life up the lid of the ice block and find a seal inside. Discuss the polar bear s extreme sense of smell and how that makes them an effective top predator in their habitat. Conservation Ask: There are things we can all do to help save endangered wildlife! Just coming to the zoo today is helping the polar bears! We can also preserve energy in order to slow global climate change turn off lights, keep the refrigerator door closed, ride a bike or take public transportation, etc. Polar Bear Jenga Key Idea(s): all living things are interconnected; humans are part of the web of life Concept(s): interdependence; climate change; human effects on the environment Objective: To investigate the causes of the polar bear s decline and to learn how we can help. Background: Biologists estimate there are roughly 26,000 polar bears left in the wild. About 60% of those live within or are shared by Canada. Overall, polar bears are very difficult and expensive to study due to the remote areas they live in. The populations in Arctic Russia and in Greenland are especially data-deficient. The IUCN currently lists the polar bear as a vulnerable species, citing sea ice losses from climate change as the single biggest threat to polar bear survival. In May 2008, the U.S. listed the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In Canada and Russia, polar bears are listed as a species of special concern. - Jenga set - Polar Bear cards Level 1 (all ages, younger children might need to be guided) - Set up the Jenga blocks on a level surface and explain to participants that the point of the game is to remove the blocks without knocking any of the others down. If the blocks fall down, that means that the polar bear population has fallen down as well. Level 2 (all ages, younger children will need to be guided) - Have participants read a playing card and follow the directions given on the card. Participants should only take blocks from below the top three rows and place blocks that they have pulled back on top of the tower. 5

6 Try to end on a positive note! There are things we can all do to help save endangered wildlife! The activity gave some examples, but encourage participants to fill out a Save our Sea Ice piece of ice to pledge which action(s) they are going to take to help the polar bears. These pledges are located by the underwater viewing window. Penguin Coast Where Arctic Animals Live Key Idea(s): all living things are interconnected Concept(s): ecosystems, habitat Objective: To explore the variety of habitats in the Arctic and how this desert is teaming with a diversity of wildlife. Background: The name Arctic comes from a Greek word meaning near the bear. The arctic land is mainly tundra, where the frozen ground is above the tree line and is covered with hearty plants like moss and lichen. The arctic animals are hearty creatures because low temperatures and precipitation with strong winds are not uncommon in the Arctic. A wide range of marine mammals and fish live in the severe conditions of the Arctic Ocean. Whales, dolphins (narwhal), walruses and seals all make their home in this North Polar Region. The polar bear depends on these marine mammals and fish for their survival, and they in turn depend on the presence of the polar bear. - Arctic board - Arctic animal cutouts Level 1 (all ages, younger children might need to be guided) Have participants identify which animals stay primarily on land, which are adapted for life on the ice, those that spend most of their time in the ocean, and which spend their time on both land and in the water. 1. Arctic Ocean: Killer whale, Beluga whale 2. Arctic Ice: Polar Bear, Seal, Walrus 3. Arctic Land: Ermine, Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare, Raven, Snowy Owl, Caribou As the participants are sorting, encourage them to point at the different adaptations of the animal that allow that to survive in their habitat. If the participants are struggling, have them observe an animal s appendages: feet and fins provide as a good indicator of ecosystem usage. Level 2 (all ages, younger children might need to be guided) Compare and contrast the adaptations of the animals that live on land with those that live in the water and those that live on both land and water. Were any answers a surprise? What about the penguins? Were any participants shocked that penguins were not included in the activity? Explain that while there are certainly cold-climate penguins (i.e. Emperor, Adélies, Chinstrap, Gentoo, Macaroni) but they are found in the Southern Hemisphere, while polar bears are in the north. Conservation Ask: There are things we can all do to help save endangered wildlife! By purchasing a polar bear adopt package at the zoo, 100% of proceeds from each adoption package support animal care, education programs and wildlife conservation for endangered and threatened species. As an animal adopter, you play an important role in supporting The Maryland Zoo and its mission of preserving wildlife and wild places. 6

7 Prairie Dog Keystone Species Key Idea(s): all living things are interconnected Concept(s): interdependence (keystone species) Objective: To learn what a keystone species is and the conservation of one can save an ecosystem. Background: Many people think of the Arctic as a lifeless ice-block, instead, it is a thriving wilderness that supports hundreds of species in intricate harmony. For example, polar bears are considered to be a keystone species. A keystone species is very important for keeping the ecosystem functioning and in balance. If polar bears were removed from their habitat, seal populations would rise. High seal populations would affect other members of the food chain, such as small fish and plankton. Land animals, such as the Arctic fox and raven, would also be affected as they often rely on carrion left by polar bears for food. - White board - Arctic animal cutout - Bio facts polar bear fur, polar bear skull Level 1 (all ages) Explain to participants that they will be learning about the importance of polar bears in an ecosystem. Just as prairie dogs are the keystone species in their habitats, so is the polar bear. Level 2 (all ages, younger children might need to be guide) Have participants place a couple of each of the arctic animal cut outs on the board. They may place them anywhere they would like on the board. Once all of the items are on the board have them remove one polar bear and replace it with a seal. Each time they place a new seal cut out on the board they should remove another of the arctic animal cuts (polar bear, arctic fox, raven, arctic hare ). What happens when the polar bears are removed? What other species were affected by the removal of polar bears? Conservation Ask: There are things we can all do to help save endangered wildlife! Just by coming to the zoo today you are helping to support our conservation partner Polar Bear International. Maryland Wilderness Chesapeake Bay Waste Sorting Key Idea(s): humans are part of the web of life Concept(s): human effects on the environment Objective: To understand how our disposal methods can affect local environments and practice sorting common waste in the most eco-conscious manner. Background: Humans utilize a plethora of tools and materials every day in order to survive. Despite our dependence on them, many have a short lifespan and need to be disposed of. We are very lucky to live in a community in which various disposal methods are available. However, 7

8 sometimes garbage does not always find its way to the dump, recycling center or compost and will end up in our waterways. Floating in the water of the North Pacific Ocean is a giant floating island of garbage often referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or the Pacific Trash Vortex! This rubbish collection is mostly composed of plastic and other debris from land that has been trapped in the North Pacific thanks to the ocean currents moving waste to one location. There is so much garbage accumulated that the patch is estimated to be about twice the size of the state of Texas! This floating debris can prove catastrophic to the marine ecosystem as many aquatic organisms (such as jellyfish, sea turtles, albatross etc.) confuse the bits of plastic for zooplankton, and eat it. - Bin with fake water - Mini trashcans each labeled, trash, recycling, and compost - Assortment of common household items with attached magnet - Fishing pole with magnet attached on end - Plastic animals - Cup to use if beads need more water Level 1 (all ages) - First, ask the participants to reflect on the amount of waste they create every day, week, month and year- it s a lot! Inquire what methods they personally utilize to dispose of that waste. Point out our bins representing trash, recycling, and compost. Expand on any method that they are not familiar with. Level 2 (all ages) - Present the participant with a box representing the ocean containing examples of waste that often end up in there on accident. Ask if they think animals can live healthily in polluted water. Ask them to help you clean up the water first by fishing out all of the items using a magnetic fishing pole. As pieces of debris are removed, the participants can add animals back to their habitat. Once the trash has been collected, have the participants sort the items into the bins in the most eco-conscious way. After all of the items have been properly disposed, commend them for helping out the planet and remind them that their choices are having a positive impact on the environment and wildlife around them. Conservation Ask: As plastic is building up in our waterways, it is slowly making its way to the Arctic. While we think of the arctic as being pristine, that is simply not the case. Our everyday choices like recycling, carpooling, and unplugging our electronics can have a positive impact on ecosystems around the globe. Invite guests to continue to keep plastic out the ocean by helping us touch-up of plastic bag polar bear sculpture in Polar Bear Watch. Backup Activities Arctic Insulation Key Idea(s): biodiversity is the variety of life on earth Concept(s): adaptations Objective: To discover how the physical adaptation of certain body coverings are better suited to defend animals against the harsh climate of the arctic. 8

9 Background: A wide variety of animals live in the arctic, and each are specially suited to survive the harsh conditions. Many of these adaptations that help them survive in the cold climate can be found in their body coverings. For example, polar bear fur is made up of a dense, insulating under-fur that is topped by guard hairs that vary in length. The fur prevents almost all heat loss; in fact, polar bears are more likely to overheat than to freeze. To keep them warm, polar bears have black skin over a thick layer of fat that can be up to 4.5 inches thick. This layer of fat helps to keep them warm while swimming in the freezing water from floe to floe. - Four zip-lock bags one each filled with: o Faux fur (mammal fur) o Faux Feathers (bird feathers) o Model magic (blubber) o Plastic bag (amphibian skin) - Ice in a cooler - Straws - Bio fact polar bear fur Level 1 (all ages, younger children might need to be guided) - Explain to participants that they will be exploring different types of animal insulation. Have participants place an empty plastic bag on the ice one. Can the feel the ice through the bag? Frogs have a very thin layer of skin that would not be able to keep them warm in cold weather. (Many amphibians go underground during the winter.) Next have them try the plastic bag with feathers in it. Birds are able to trap air under their feather in order to stay warm. Try the plastic bag with the faux fur. Some mammals have a double coat that is keeps the warm and dry (river otters and polar bear). Level 2 (all ages) Show participants the polar bear fur. Explain that the fur has long guard hairs that protect the bear from weather such as rain, snow, and wind. Each of these hairs is also hallow which helps trap air and provide some buoyancy in the water. The fur also has a think base layer that helps keep the bear warm in the cold arctic temperatures. Ask participants what color do they think a polar bear is? Polar bear fur actually has no color: each of the hairs is hollow and thus clear. Show participants one straw, this straw represents one polar bear hair. Then show participants the group of straws, the group of straws look white because of the way the light is shining through them. The same thing happens with polar bear fur. Conservation Ask: Take the thermostat challenge! By adjusting your thermostat by degrees in the winter and summer, not only are you saving on energy consumption at home, but you are also decreasing your carbon footprint. Arctic animals are built to withstand the cold, let s try our best to keep the Arctic land and water as cool as possible. 9

10 Polar Bear Adaptations Key Idea(s): biodiversity is the variety of life on earth Concept(s): adaptations Objective: Discover why a changing arctic habitat can have a detrimental effect on polar bear populations. Background: Through millions of years of evolution, polar bears have become perfectly adapted to fulfill their niche as the top predator in the Arctic. These adaptations allow them to be sufficient hunters on the sea ice, and also help in moving between ice masses. With climate change altering the Arctic landscape, polar bears are no longer well-adapted to survive in their landscape. Seals are becoming increasingly more difficult to find and hunt, leading polar bears to depend on other means of sustenance. These other food sources may not have the necessary caloric levels, which can lead to low reproductive levels. Driving polar bears further from their preferred habitat also leads them to compete with other predators (i.e. brown bears), throwing the entire ecosystem s relationships out of balance. - Diving mask - Fleece - Snorkel - Ear/ nose plugs - sunglasses - Wetsuit - Jacket - Snow boots - Possible Bio facts polar bear fur, polar bear skull, polar bear claw Level 1 (all ages) Explain to participants that polar bears have many adaptations that help them to survive on an icy habitat. Ask participants what they think some of those adaptations may be? Level 2 (all ages) - Use human artifacts to create analogies with polar bear adaptations. The items and analogies are as follows: 1. Parka Protects from wind and rain and provides some insulation analogous to long guard hairs on polar bear pelt 2. Fleece Provides insulation and somewhat protects from wind and rain analogous to polar bear under fur 3. Wetsuit Extremely insulating analogous to blubber 4. Diving Mask Helps see under water and keep water out of the eyes polar bears have membrane over eyes that helps them see underwater 5. Snorkel Helps people breathe under water - Polar bears can hold breath for up to two minutes but rarely if ever dive very deep. 6. Boots with treads Help people walk on slick surfaces polar bears have bumps on their paws called papillae that help grip in the ice and snow. 7. Ear and nose plugs Keep water out of ears and nose when submerged polar bears can close ears and nose when underwater 10

11 8. Sunglasses Protect eyes from sunshine and prevent snow-blindness - polar bears have special membrane over eyes that helps filter sunlight and prevents snow-blindness Conservation Ask: Ask participants what they can do at home to help polar bears we can help reduce our carbon footprint through carpooling, adjusting our thermostat, turning off lights etc. Further Reading and Sources Climate Change and Polar Bears: Easy ways to help: 11