Latest news with #PolarBearsInternational
New York Post
23-05-2025
- New York Post
Guests are paying to sleep at the ‘best zoo in Europe' so they can wake up alongside bears, wolves and penguins
Bears, wolves and deer — oh my! A Belgian zoo is offering guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share a room with mammals, birds and animals of all kinds. Deemed as 'Europe's best zoo,' Pairi Daiza is now allowing guests to fully experience wild animal life at all hours of the day. Advertisement Imagine waking up alongside a walrus, penguin, wolf or polar bear? 3 Who wouldn't want to wake up next to an adorable penguin? Jam Press/Pairi Daiza It could sound like a nightmare to some — but at the Pairi Daiza resort in Brugelette, Belgium, guests are paying for rooms and suites that start at a little over $100 a night to do exactly that. Advertisement This unique resort offers spacious suites and lodges that overlook animals on all fours — or mammals bopping underwater. Each of the rooms has giant glass walls that give adventurous guests an insight into the lives of these creatures. 3 Rates for these rooms and suites start at $124 a night. Jam Press/Pairi Daiza The zoo has over 7,500 animals in different themed areas, and according to Luxury Travel Daily, the resort has over 100 different rooms with amazing views of many of these animals that guests can choose from. Advertisement Talk about a fever dream. Aside from being a unique place to vacation, Pairi Daiza is also an Arctic Ambassador for Polar Bears International, which is a non-profit conservation organization. 'We focus on the quality of our facilities for polar bears, our commitment to fighting climate change, and our efforts to raise awareness about the threats to biodiversity,' the resort said, according to Jam Press. 3 Pairi Daiza is an Arctic Ambassador for Polar Bears International, which is a non-profit conservation organization. Jam Press/Pairi Daiza Advertisement And the Pairi Daiz resort is just one of many hotels trying to offer guests an unforgettable experience. 'Hotels stand out from the crowd by offering unique experiences for their guests,' Susan Zurbin-Hothersall, travel agent at the Travel Edge Network, told The Post. 'They can include properties that are located in one-of-a-kind areas (mountaintops, remote wilderness, historic districts), have distinctive architecture, interior design elements, memorable amenities, such as rooftop bars, customized meals, spas in areas, sustainability focus,' she added. If you're looking to stay abroad — and bonus points if you love history — the Argos Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey, is in a 2,000-year-old monastery. As a result, you can book a stay in one of their ancient cave or tunnel rooms. And if you're a Northern Lights buff, the Hotel Ranga in Hella, Iceland is tucked away in a remote area with barely any artificial light. The property has telescopes for prime stargazing and a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Man Drops Gun, Manages to Outrun Polar Bear on Snowmobile in Heart-Racing Moment Caught on Camera
A man was caught on camera managing to outrun a polar bear on a snowmobile after the animal chased after him in the Arctic Circle The person made it to the vehicle and sped away, as the animal briefly ran after him in a clip filmed by onlookers The polar bear eventually gave up the chase and was seen walking away in the opposite direction A man luckily had a snowmobile nearby after coming face-to-face with a polar bear in the Arctic Circle over the weekend. On Sunday, April 27, the person noticed the animal running in his direction before seemingly firing shots in a bid to deter it in a heart-racing moment captured on camera by onlookers. After a brief pause, the polar bear started to run toward the man in the clip, before he decided it was time to ditch the gun and escape to safety. He then leapt onto a snowmobile and sped away in the video obtained by Newsflare. Despite initially remaining hot on the man's heels for a moment, the bear eventually gave up the chase. "Very brave guy!" one person behind the camera said in the video, while another added, "Damn, that guy is brave!" After the brief chase, the polar bear sat down in the snow, looking around at their surroundings, before getting up and walking away in the opposite direction. The exact location of the incident was not immediately revealed. Related: 'Surreal' Photo of Polar Bear Napping in Field of Flowers Stuns Photo Contest — See the Other Winners! Polar bears have been "spending more time ashore in more places, and for longer periods" in recent years as the "Arctic warms and the sea ice melts," according to Polar Bears International. "This has led to an uptick in polar bear-human encounters, sometimes with tragic results," the conservation organization said on its website. Alysa McCall, who is the director of conservation outreach and a staff scientist at Polar Bears International, previously told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) of why the animals might attack, "A healthy polar bear that's out on the sea ice is not going to have a lot of incentive to attack a human being." As previously reported by PEOPLE, in December, a man was seriously injured in Ontario, Canada, after trying to prevent a polar bear from attacking his wife in their driveway in Fort Severn First Nation near Hudson Bay. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. McCall said at the time that polar bears are usually hunting for seals out on the ice in that area, but "when the ice breaks up, they come inland in search of food," per CBC. "It could be that [when] this attack happened, maybe this bear was a little hungrier than usual," McCall insisted, adding that climate change meant the animals might be "coming into contact with communities and people more than they used to" due to sea ice patterns changing. "If you're attacked by a polar bear, definitely do not play dead — that is a myth," McCall advised, according to the outlet. "Fight as long as you can." Polar Bears International didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for a comment on the latest Arctic Circle incident. Read the original article on People
CBS News
16-04-2025
- CBS News
Acclaimed photographer details decline of Manitoba's polar bear population
In 1993, Don Shelby and a crew from WCCO embarked on a journey to Churchill, Manitoba in Canada The trip was sparked by this curiosity: How do people and polar bears live side by side in the same town? Thirty years later, WCCO reporter Erin Hassanzadeh and photojournalist Tom Aviles returned to Churchill , enamored by the same thing. But the story has shifted. Acclaimed photographer Dan Cox, a Minnesota native, has been trekking to Churchill nearly every year since 1987. "It's a rough-around-the-edges community that has these amazing animals that move through once a year," Cox said. "Because of that, it is the place to go to see these animals." The pursuit of polar bears led to captivating footage, and it built a relationship with the town and its prized possessions. "There's something about these big white bears. They're powerful. It's that opportunity to relate and get a little more connected to a true wild experience," he said. From certain vantage points, Churchill today can look like the Churchill of the '90s. Though the stars of the show haven't changed, the way visitors view the bears has evolved a bit from the rugged buggies of the past to the fleet of EV tundra buggies we spotted on our trip. The way the town patrols and pushes out bears even has a similar feel, but one change is unmistakable. Since Shelby's visit, the polar bear population here has been cut in half, according to estimates shared by Polar Bears International, down from 1,200 to roughly 620. Scientists say it's because of warming that's melting the arctic sea ice bears depend on for hunting and habitat. "There's been these kinds of notable changes that become obvious that things are much different than they were back in the '80s and '90s," Cox said. "Definitely much warmer temperatures. It's hard to believe it's not easy to find winter anymore." Despite the changes, the bears and people of Churchill are still captivating visitors from far corners of the globe. And those who know the town dearly hope that won't fade away "It would just would be a major loss and there's just not that many places left in the world that you can replace it with. In fact, I don't know of any," Cox said. "I'm just hopeful the polar bear will always be around to excite people and encourage people to maybe think a little more about what it is we're all doing to the planet, and the animals and the places we love on this planet." There's a lot to love in Churchill, but as Hassanzadeh and her crew discovered, we may lose those polar bears in our lifetime if we don't do something about it. It's something we explore in our WCCO Original documentary "On The Edge," streaming online right now . You can also join us to watch in person for free this Friday at the Minneapolis Institute of Art , and on Earth Day at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts issue urgent warning after witnessing unsettling shift in polar bear actions: 'We were super surprised'
A powerful photo series showing polar bears wandering through abandoned buildings on a remote Russian island has captured the world's attention — but experts say it's not just an eerie snapshot. It's a warning sign. As sea ice continues to shrink, polar bears are adapting in unexpected and troubling ways, and their growing presence on land could put both wildlife and people at risk. Wildlife photographer Dmitry Kokh was seeking shelter from a storm in far northeast Russia in 2021 when he spotted something strange on the deserted island of Kolyuchin — polar bears. Nearly 20 of them roamed the ruins of a long-abandoned Soviet weather station, with some even peeking out of the windows. "We were super surprised because we never expected to meet polar bears so far to the south," Kokh told the BBC in a new report this month. The image, titled "House of Bears," went on to win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. But while the pictures are visually striking, researchers say this behavior is a growing — and potentially more dangerous — trend. Polar bears are spending more time on land, often close to human settlements. And it's not out of curiosity, as the BBC detailed, but hunger. Polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt seals, their main source of food. But with rising temperatures melting ice earlier each year, they're left with fewer options. Some have begun scavenging land-based food sources, including open dumps near northern towns. Wildlife scientist Tom Smith notes that while bears don't see humans as prey, encounters are becoming more common — and potentially more threatening. Hungry bears accustomed to garbage may start wandering into villages, damaging property, or in rare cases, attacking people. "They're curious animals so we see them in structures often, or they will be climbing on top of cars or pipelines," Smith said. On land, the bears burn through fat reserves quickly and can't get the nutrients they need. Research shows their health, reproductive success, and long-term survival are all at risk if this shift continues. Do you think we should deal with air pollution by burying things underground? Sounds great No way Only for certain waste I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Experts like Smith are urging governments to fund better waste management in Arctic villages, where open garbage dumps are drawing hungry polar bears closer to people. "It's extremely expensive. They need help," Smith said. Some Arctic communities have already started securing waste with bear-proof bins and enclosed landfills. In a town in Manitoba, Canada, called Churchill, closing an open dump helped reduce conflicts with bears. Experts also advocate for wider use of deterrents like bear spray and increased public education. Long-term solutions will depend on slowing the planet's overheating and preserving sea ice. Supporting clean energy, reducing single-use plastics, and backing conservation groups like Polar Bears International are all small steps individuals can take. Kokh's haunting images may be art — but they also tell a deeper dystopian story. One where polar bears are adapting to a world they were never built to survive in. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CBS News
14-03-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Arctic ice approaches historic low, impacting habitat for polar bears
At the edge of the Arctic in northern Canada, the annual migration of polar bears draws tourists, photographers, and scientists like Geoff York. Buggies traverse the frozen terrain, bringing tourists closer to something truly wild. The polar bears pass through Churchill, Manitoba, hoping to catch a ride out of the tiny town on Hudson Bay's sea ice. After a summer of fasting on land, the bears need to get back to their frozen home to hunt seals and bulk up. "They're just dreaming of ice and being back out there," said York, senior director of research and policy with the conservation group Polar Bears International. But this migration ritual is changing. The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the globe, according to a study published in 2022 in the journal Nature. "The Arctic is one of the fastest warming regions in the planet," said Flavio Lehner, chief climate scientist for Polar Bears International and assistant professor at Cornell University. He explained that the warming is melting the sea ice that bears depend on. "It's important, because it's a complete transformation of the ecosystem," Lehner said. The Western Hudson Bay polar bears are off the ice for a month longer than their parents and grandparents. That hurts their hunting and ability to have healthy cubs that make it to adulthood. The change has cut this population by up to half in 40 years, according to Polar Bears International. "It's hard to find other places, maybe other than places maybe that have been deforested in the Amazon, where you see such a stark change," Lehner said. And what happens in the Arctic trickles down to those who reside on the rest of the planet. "If the sea ice disappears, the Arctic will warm faster and the planet will warm faster," Lehner said That ice can be thought of like the Earth's air conditioner. It reflects light and heat away from our waters. Without it, the sun is absorbed and warms the oceans. Scientists say to slow the melting, we need to significantly cut emissions from fossil fuels.
