Can Polar Bears be moved to the South Pole to save the Species?

Question

Polar Bears only exist around the arctic, and there are numerous news stories about melting ice causing a shortage in their food and threatening their existence. Presumably they could exist at the South Pole couldn't they? Don't we owe it to them to move some there to keep the species alive?

Answer 1

No, for Christs sake!

All the penguins will be eaten!

Answer 2

Generally this is a good idea, but I'm amazed at how many negative responses have appeared to this important issue.

A controlled release to save these bears would not have too much impact on the penguin population - nature after all needs a balance. Pythagoras needs a new user name to reflect a narrow minded approach to serious issues!

As for the issues around the eco-system - err, just who has been causing the speed up in global warming? Mankind! Therefore the issues around survival of the fittest are not totally relevant when our intervention is causing a direct problem!

We can look at how we change our environmental ways, but this will not happen in time to save many species. I would rather take a chance on polars bears having an impact on the south pole eco-system, than see them stuck in zoos to protect their existence. This only reflects many other interventions that man has made to protect endangered species (such as some of the big cats and other bears around the world), so there's nothing wrong with looking at the south pole as a way of preserving a magnificent species such as the polar bear.

It seems that only the minority (Paul W & Susie) are willing to look 'outside the box' to take direct and meaningful action to do something positive - the majority are just looking for excuses not to do something!

Answer 3

I have to say this an intresting question to answer, it is most likely possible with careful introductionary messures to save the polar bear by shipping some to the south pole but i would advice against this as it would change the way the balance works down there. The mother always finds away to recover from things and yet we humans have given her the hardest job over the last few decades. We have caused so many species to go excinct and we must all take responsibity for that! If we work together we should be able to save the north so we don't have to think about saving the polar bears or any other animal by moving them. We have a lot to make up for!

Answer 4

No, good idea in theory, however the knock on effect would cause even more damage! Also would you stop at polar bears? What about seals and other species found in the arctic?

Man has played God too much already, and history has proven we only mess things up!

Answer 5

Survival of the fittest.

Man interferes too much in the balance of the earths Eco system, the south pole has its own Ecology and moving polar bears to the south pole would only upset the balance of that eco system.

Answer 6

I agree, and think that is a fantastic idea.  Even if the "experts" don't think they would survive, surely it would be worth trying !!

Answer 7

Emm no.. several things wrong with that theory..to numerous to mention here

Answer 8

They might well decimate penguin populations which at the moment don't have a predator such as the polar bear.  Besides the demise of the polar bear is very speculative at this stage.

Answer 9

There would be many problems with introducing a new apex predator to a new ecosystem. For starters, there is the question of prey. Polar bear's diets include large marine mammals of species more abundant in the northern hemisphere. However, they are adaptable in this respect, so they might survive.

But then consider the effect on populations of their new prey as well as on species competing for the same resources. By interfering to this extent, humans could put several other species at risk.

In my opinion, the best way to ensure their survival is for humans to control our own population, not over-fish already depleted stocks and generally try to limit our impact on the environment. If direct intervention is necessary, it should be limited to captive breeding and controlled release of polar bears back into their native habitat.

Answer 10

Lets save polar bears by moving them to the Antarctic so we can kill all the penguins there...brilliant!

Answer 11

Both poles are affected by global warming so there wouldn't be any point. The only way to save us and them is to reduce our own individual carbon footprints.  One person cannot save the world on their own but if we ALL do our bit and keep our own little corner of the world safe and clean then together all the little bits will add up and we can effect change.