Recently, findings/observations have been published in several sources according to which, due to the melting of glaciers, the polar bears are denied access to seals, a fact that causes a lack of food, and leads the bears to attack their own kind, thereby becoming "cannibals". This situation constitutes an additional threat, on top of known existing threats, on the population of a species that is also in danger of extinction. But the greatest of the dangers that lie in wait for him is... infection.
According to a report submitted by the "World Wildlife Fund" [WWF], various chemicals pollute the waters of the Northern Circle. These polluting substances penetrate the food chain, through the plankton and phytoplankton, and poison the animals in the sea and on land (and in the air), starting with super-carnivores (at the top of the food chain pyramid), through fish, marine predators, birds of prey, and ending with polar bears. Quite high levels of flame retardants, insecticides, (PCBs), organophosphorus, fluorocarbons were found in all the animals.
Although most of the chemicals found in animal tissues were officially banned for use years ago, the enforcement of the ban is far from weak, and even if the use is decreasing, the existing "reservoir" continues and is collected... As you go up the food chain, the concentration of toxins increases.
For example, in beluga whales that were hunted (by natives / Inuit's) in northern Canada and Alaska, a concentration of toxins was found so high that it was necessary to bury the carcasses of the whales only after they had undergone "special treatment" which is accepted for toxic waste. In polar bears, the effect of the poisons is reflected in the softening of the skeleton and in the irregularity of the hormone secretions of the thyroid gland. Being super predators, when the bears prey on their own kind, the concentration of toxins increases tens of times, and with it the danger to their existence.
The European Union led to the REACH Convention - Registration Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, which aims to protect the environment - animals and humans - from toxic agents originating from paint materials, furniture, computers, vehicles, cleaning materials and more.
In the US - which criticizes this treaty due to the economic damage it believes has been caused by it - the territory continues to be poisoned.
