Polar Bear

• A polar bear has reportedly died due to bird flu in Alaska as the H5N1 virus spreads across the globe.
• It was the first polar bear case reported who died due to bird flu.

ABOUT POLAR BEERS

• Scientific Name- Ursus maritimus
• It is the largest bear and the largest land carnivore in the world.
• Polar bears are primarily found in the Arctic region, and their habitat is closely tied to sea ice.
  • Note- They are not found in the Antarctic.
• They have a thick layer of blubber and dense fur that insulates them from the cold.
• Polar bears are strong swimmers and divers which enables them to swim from one iceberg to another and to hunt seals in sea. They can also swim underneath ice sheet in search of food.
• Polar bears do not hibernate like the brown and black bears do.
  • Instead they remain active throughout winter in spite of freezing cold.
• Protection status
  • IUCN Red List- Vulnerable