Maeghan Brass

"The Effects of a "Sealsicle" as Enrichment in Captive Polar Bears."
BSES Senior Research 2007
Original Slides (PPT)

The Problem

Natural History & Status of the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)

• 1. Evolved from grizzly or brown bears (Ursus arctos) about 250,000 years ago
• 2. 20,000 to 25,000 worldwide estimate
• 3. In 2007, FWS - "threatened by ongoing and projected changes in their sea ice habitat"
• 4. Classification as "threatened" under the ESA has yet to be determined