Arctic fox joins polar bear on new list of Arctic species in danger of extinction
Polar bears are not the only species in danger from global warming, a new report has warned.
The animals have become an icon of the environmental movement, as their numbers reduce with the melting ice caps.
But they are not the only ones. A new report by a major US conservation body has warned that other animals are in danger of going extinct as well.
The US Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) claim 17 Arctic animals are at risk from the melting ice.
Shaye Wolf, the lead author of the report, said Arctic foxes, whales, musk oxen, walruses and four species of seals are all in danger – as well as polar bears.
"The polar bear is the best-known victim of rapid melting in the Arctic, but if we don't slash greenhouse pollution, many more creatures will follow it down the path to extinction," she said.
"Some Arctic species have already experienced widespread die-offs and population declines after losing key habitats and food sources; others face extreme weather events or suffer new pressure from predators and pathogens moving northward."
The CBD is also afraid these animals could be in danger if drilling for oil goes ahead in the area.
It is estimated that eight of the world's 19 polar bear populations are declining as they struggle to raise young and hunt for food on shrinking ice sheets.
However, climate change sceptics claim polar bears are thriving in areas where the animals have been able to scavenge from the growing human population as the temperatures increase and big industry moves in.
17 species in danger of climate change:
Arctic fox
Polar bear
Pacific walrus
Four species of ice sea – ringed, bearded, harp and ribbon
Four species of whale – grey, beluga, bowhead and narwhal
Sea butterfly
Three species of seabirds – Kittlitz's murrelet, spectacled eider and ivory gull
Caribou/reindeer
Musk ox
Shaye Wolf, the lead author of the report, said Arctic foxes, whales, musk oxen, walruses and four species of seals are all in danger – as well as polar bears.
"The polar bear is the best-known victim of rapid melting in the Arctic, but if we don't slash greenhouse pollution, many more creatures will follow it down the path to extinction," she said.
"Some Arctic species have already experienced widespread die-offs and population declines after losing key habitats and food sources; others face extreme weather events or suffer new pressure from predators and pathogens moving northward."
The CBD is also afraid these animals could be in danger if drilling for oil goes ahead in the area.
It is estimated that eight of the world's 19 polar bear populations are declining as they struggle to raise young and hunt for food on shrinking ice sheets.
However, climate change sceptics claim polar bears are thriving in areas where the animals have been able to scavenge from the growing human population as the temperatures increase and big industry moves in.
17 species in danger of climate change:
Arctic fox
Polar bear
Pacific walrus
Four species of ice sea – ringed, bearded, harp and ribbon
Four species of whale – grey, beluga, bowhead and narwhal
Sea butterfly
Three species of seabirds – Kittlitz's murrelet, spectacled eider and ivory gull
Caribou/reindeer
Musk ox
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