Endangered Species Day

Today is Endangered Species Day - highlighting the incredible diversity on our planet and the importance of preserving it. 

Take a moment today to enjoy the spectacular endangered Panda and Polar Bear on our live cams.

Through film and photos, learn more about elephants, tigers, gorillas and sturgeon. And celebrate the triumph of the ospreys with Rachel and Steve - once endangered, they’ve made a steady comeback. 

What endangered animals would you like to see highlighted on the blog? Email us.

Move Over Monday: Siku Memories

Move over to Denmark where Siku the polar bear is playing with his new friend. We asked for your favorite memories of watching Siku grow up on our live cam, and Carol wrote: 

Siku Has a New Friend!

Smilla is an older, female polar bear he’d rub noses with through their fence. Now they spend half days in the same enclosure, playing and sleeping side-by-side. See more of Siku and Smilia on the live cam and read more about his progress from our partners at Polar Bears International. 

If you’ve been following Siku from the start, tell us your favorite memory of him: share@explore.org.

Need a hand?!

The polar bear paw is “marvelously adapted for life in the Arctic.” Here’s how:

1. The feet are covered with hair so that the bear can get a good grip as it runs across the ice and snow.

2. Thickly callused pads both protect from the cold and prevent the bears from cutting themselves on sharp ice edges.

3. Long claws help the bear to travel on the ice, pull itself uponto the ice after a swim, or dig snow caves.

4. Sharp claws are deadly weapons when attacking walrus or caribou, snatching seals out of the water, or fighting off other bears.

5. The forepaws are partially webbed to assist in swimming. (Read more here.)

See more fantastic pictures of Siku and the other polar bears at explore.org.