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Scientists have been observing the gradual changes in the Arctics ice masses for some time now, consistent evidence has shown the overall volume of ice is decreasing. This has affected the ecosystems and food chains in the Arctic regions as well, studies have shown evidence of dramatic changes involving two apex predators, the Killer Whale and Polar Bear. Wikipedia has thorough and extensive articles on both apex predators, however there has not been any recent additions to their articles involving the most current developments of the species in relation to new behaviors resulting from changing environments. For my Wikipedia contributions I will be attempting to add a section to both the Killer whale and Polar bear articles, detailing recent developments in the Arctic and the species behavioral reactions.

Polar Bears and Diminishing Ice - Draft

With the resulting changes in the Arctics Ice mass, the Polar Bear, dominant predator of the Arctic is facing difficulties.

Diminishing territory and scarcity of resources had left many Polar Bears in dire straits. While Capable of swimming vast distances the bears require ice to survive and hunt.

With the decrease in ice mass, the bears have to swim farther to find solid land. Scientists are seeing evidence now of underfed, malnourished bears struggling to survive the Arctics changing environment. Studies have reported cases of bears starving and drowning with increased frequency, as the ice levels drop so does the their food staple; seals.

Polar bear populations have shown consistent physical changes, become slimmer and lighter as they lack the required dietary needs.

Scientists say while normally male bears might kill cubs cannibalism is becoming a larger threat to the species as resources dwindle.

Recent studies show females are giving birth less. The changing conditions have the largest effect on cubs, who can not swim the same distances or survive as long without food as their mothers can. Longterm sustainability of the bears populations becomes increasingly challenging as nursing and cub rearing faces growing difficulty in the changing environments.

An new development is that polars have begun ranging to new territory. While not unheard of but still uncommon Polar bears have been sighted increasingly in larger numbers ashore, staying on the mainland for longer periods of time during the summer months, particularly in North Canada, traveling farther inland.

Foraging for new sources of food they have begun relying on mixed diets, incorporating seaweed, fish and whale carcasses that wash ashore while trying to build up fat for the lean summer months.

An interesting addition is the Snow Goose Egg, providing a back up source of fat and nutrients, though not adequate for a polar bears diet.

Traditionally, Polar bears eat marine animals for their high fat content and nutrients, land animals do not provide the adequate resources for their body to survive the harsher climates. Now scientists are suggesting they may have to adapt to land based diets.

These diets would consist mainly of goose eggs, waterfowl and Caribou.

Another implication is as they remain on land for longer periods of time during the summer months Polar bears are coming into contact with people in higher frequency, foraging closer to urban areas.

Killer Whale Draft

Ranging to new territories

The large masses of ice locked sea in the Arctic have for the past two million of years largely deterred air breathing marine animals, namely orca whales from venturing to far within.

With large dorsal fins unable to penetrate ice and a lack of surfacing holes in solid ice sheets spanning miles they are unable to hunt in the colder reaches of the arctic region so they typically skirt the ice shelf in search of prey. This has kept eco-systems in relative balance for many years, allowing only select animals specialized for the harshest climates to survive the arctic.

Recent studies and observations have shown that with the documented decrease of year round sea ice there have been shifts in the ecosystem with many future impacts in biodiversity to be expected.

Killer Whales are often considered the marine worlds’ most dangerous predator. This new shift into previously barricaded water opens up a new host of prey with the new hunting ground for the Killer Whales, populations of animals that were previously not accustomed to the intelligence and power of the oceans apex predator.

Narwals, Bowhead whales, Beluga whales and Seals of the heavily iced waters in particular are becoming a staple of orca whales new arctic diets.

Some of these populations are currently recovering, Beluga Whales and Narwhals are approaching the classification of Threatened according to the International Union for conservation of Nature, making the orca’s impact severe to their species populations.

Having not come into contact with killer whales before these isolated populations are ill-equipped to face the threat of killer whales. The dramatic shift in the food chain could leave the Arctics ecosystem drastically changed.