2. POLAR BEAR
The Polar Bear is a large species of bear that is found
inhabiting the ice fields in the Arctic Ocean. It is the biggest
species of bear in the world (with the exception of the
Kodiak Brown Bears found in Alaska which can reach similar
sizes) with males often weighing-in at around 600kg. Thought
to be closely related to the Brown Bear, the
Polar Bears' name actually means "Sea Bear" as they are
known to not just spend a great deal of time close to the
coast, but are also strong and capable swimmers that have
been spotted up to 100 miles from the closest ice or land.
They are however being devastatingly affected by global
warming as the ice that they rely so heavily on is disappearing
fast and has led to the Polar Bear becoming a strong symbol
of the effects of climate change. Polar Bear populations have
also fallen across the ArcticOcean due to hunting, pollution
and drilling for oil and gas leading to them being as listed as a
threatened species.
3. PENGUIN
The Adelie Penguin is the smallest and most widely
distributed species of Penguin in the Southern Ocean
and is one of only two species of Penguin found on the
Antarctic mainland (the other being the much larger
Emperor Penguin). The Adelie Penguin was named in
1840 by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville who
named thePenguin for his wife, Adelie.
Adelie Penguins have adapted well to life in the
Antarctic as these migratory Birds winter in the northern
pack-ice before returning south to the Antarctic coast
for the warmer summer months.
4. ALASKAN MALAMUTE
The Alaskan Malamute was developed by a tribe of Innuit
known as the Mahlemuts, who wanted to create a
workingDog that could pull heavy loads, as well as assisting
with hunting, but one that could also withstand the harsh
winter conditions. They are believed to have originated from
primitive domestic Dogs that accompanied prehistoric people
on their migrations between Asia and the Americas. Although
cared for well and treated fondly, they were used by the
Mahlemuts very much as a working breed to pull heavy
sledges, hunt Seals, and packs were even sent after Polar
Bears that were causing trouble. Travelling into the USA in the
early 1900s, Alaskan Malamutes quickly became a popular
working breed and were even used in service during both
World War One and World War Two.
