As climate change continues to shrink Arctic winter ice fields, the polar bear faces extinction possibly by the end of the century, a stark reality wrought vivid by prolific science writer Ellis (Tuna
) in this well-sourced geographical, historical, cultural, political and environmental overview. One of the largest land predators in the world, the great white bear—hunted almost to the brink of extinction decades ago, and after a population rebound reduced again to an estimated 22,000—has become the “poster child” for global warming. A dramatic reduction in permanent, year-round ice is inhibiting access to seals, its almost exclusive food source, and as natural prey becomes elusive, bears are resorting to cannibalism. Ellis, rendering complex science engagingly simple, peppers his authoritative assessment of ursine plight with interesting tidbits—bears and primates are the only bipedal mammals, for example. And despite an undeservedly fearsome reputation for savagery, the polar bear is in fact much less dangerous to man than man is to the bear, writes Ellis, as he pays impassioned homage to “a great white spirit.” Photos. (Nov.)
