 Could the polar bear be a native of Tibet?
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Aug. 6, 2003 — It is high season for spotting strange animals in China, and polar bears have now allegedly been observed in Tibet, where the species has never ventured before, state media reported Saturday.
The sightings, reported in several remote counties of the Himalayan region, could be of great significance to the study of the evolution of species in Tibet, experts told the Xinhua news agency.
Puce, an old herdsman, said he was looking after his sheep when he suddenly saw a white creature in the distance and initially thought it was a snow leopard.
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"After careful study, I found it was a big white bear quite identical to the polar bears we have seen in the films," he told Xinhua.
At least one scientist doubts the biology books will have to be rewritten, telling Xinhua that what the herdsman and others have seen is probably a kind of albino bear.
The reports come after several sightings last month of China's "Nessie" — a monster with a scaled back, a black head and 10-centimeter-long (four-inch-long) horns — in a deep volcanic lake in the country's northeast.
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Name: Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Primary Classification: Ursidae (Bears) Location: Arctic region surrounding the North Pole. Habitat: Glacier ice and tundra. Diet: Seals mostly. Also walrus, sea birds, lemmings, birds' eggs, some vegetation, and carrion. Size: Up to 11 ft in length and 1,500 lbs in weight. Description: Dense creamy white coat made of hollow translucent hairs; black skin; powerful build; long neck and head. Cool Facts: It is the world's largest land predator. It has been known to swim more than 60 miles without rest. Studies show that they are as intelligent as apes. Conservation Status: Lower Risk (Conservation Dependent) Major Threat: Habitat Loss. What Can I Do?: Visit Polar Bears Alive for information on how you can help. |
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