Located in northern Manitoba on the west side of Hudson Bay, Churchill is out in the middle of nowhere. But polar bears like it that way. They spend summers on the tundra (苔原) around Churchill. In the fall, they wait anxiously along the shore of Hudson Bay for the ice to form. Then they go out onto the frozen sea to hunt ringed seals their favorite food. October and November are the best polar-bear viewing times. From tundra vehicles, visitors to Churchill observe the bears. Some enjoy day trips or stay overnight on large tundra vehicles that have private cabins and eating facilities. Others stay at a wilderness lodge on the bears’ migration route to view the vigorous creatures. These lodges can be reached only by air and feature luxury food and living arrangements.

Despite the large number of polar bears that visit Churchill each year, there is growing concern about the animals’ future. Because the earth is getting warmer, the ice forms later in the year now and disappears sooner in the spring. As a result, polar bears have less time to hunt for seals. Polar bears can also find smaller animals, bird eggs and berries on land, but this kind of food is not sufficient to support the animals.

Polar bears are also affected by plastic and chemicals that get into the ocean. A research project carried out in northern Europe has found high concentrations of both plastic and chemicals in the tissue of polar bears. These materials and substances can damage the animals’ internal organs, especially when the animals are not yet mature. Many people are researching polar bear health. Their goal is to gather the information that is needed to help save these animals.

Volunteers make sweaters for elephants in India

It isn’t often that zookeepers call on craftspeople for help. But cold weather at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center in northern India was putting elephants at risk. So the center’s staff joined forces with locals to find a creative way to keep the animals warm. Now the elephants are stepping out in style, thanks to volunteers who take advantage of their crafting talents to knit (编织) enormous sweaters to protect the animals.

Wildlife SOS is a conservation group that has been taking action against animal cruelty and saving wildlife in pain since 1995. Their Elephant Conservation and Care Center is dedicated (致力于) to rescuing the gentle giants from abuse and exploitation (剥削) in circuses, illegal hunting, and other circumstances where they have been neglected or treated with extreme cruelty. There are currently 20 elephants living at the center, and the staff hopes to take in 50 more of the creatures this year.

Because most of the elephants housed at the center are recovering from injuries or are elderly and weak, they are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. When staff reported near-freezing nighttime temperatures this winter, volunteers from surrounding villages began knitting enormous sweaters to keep the elephants warm. The sweaters are large enough to cover the elephants’ backs, bellies, and legs.

Making the sweaters is a big undertaking-each one takes approximately four weeks to create, with volunteers working together on the huge garments. Still, the volunteers make sure that the knits arc not only warm and comfortable, but they are also colorful, and even fashionable. Centered on a common, compassionate goal, the project helps promote a sense of community in all who participate.

A dog is man’s best friend, and quite a few scientific studies have proved that dogs can improve human health in many ways.【小题1】We all know the benefits of exercise, but it can be a struggle to get moving every day. A dog provides strong motivation and develops your interest in a daily walk or running schedule. 【小题2】

Many people living alone worry about thieves and those who illegally enter their houses, and a dog can help make its owner feel safe. 【小题3】Dogs generally have remarkable hearing and can warn you at the first sign of something strange. Maybe your dog is older and struggles to move around, but you can still rest easy knowing that your dog will get to a thief before you do.

【小题4】Dogs provide you with a valuable chance to meet and interact with other people. Even if you’re shy, it’s easy to start a conversation with another person if you’re both talking about your animals. Trips to a vet (兽医), visits to the dog park and meeting with other pet owners also provide you with great chances to interact.【小题5】You’ll quickly find yourself making new friends in addition to learning a lot about your best friend—your pet!

In a fast-paced and high-pressure world, mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression have reached a new. But, comparatively speaking, pet owners have fewer mental illness, and animals are even used as an effective therapy for people suffering from mental illnesses.