Other mating species makes white bears extinct

Climate change is making more and more mammals in the Arctic region mate with the same species.

Picture 1 of Other mating species makes white bears extinct

Biologists explain that melting ice in the Arctic increases the chance of contact, pairing and mating among animals with them, forming 'offspring'.

This threatens the pure genetic resources of rare animals and puts them at risk of extinction.

In 2006, scientists were surprised to find a bear crossed between polar bears and grizzly bears. Earlier this year, another bear shot by dead hunters also had mixed DNA patterns between white bears and grizzly bears.

Global warming has affected the Arctic region two or three times more seriously than in other areas, changing the environment of dozens of typical mammals.

For white bears, the permafrost in the Arctic melted them away from their usual feeding grounds because white bears often use the edges of ice sheets to hide seals.