The Polar Bear – who knew flip flops could be so polar-rising?
Beasts footwear has a conscience about the world we all live in and a particular soft spot for the animals we share it with. Especially those that are classed as endangered. It’s why we use the faces of these beautiful creatures on our designer flip flops!
Following on from the previous blog that detailed a profile all about the Giant Panda, this blog seeks to continue in this series of identifying the animals we care so much about. This week, it’s all about the ice cap king, the Polar Bear. Now this is our idea of a cool customer!
The Polar Bear is most recognisable to western audiences as the mascot for Coca-Cola around Christmas time, or possibly even to fans as the roaming island beastie from the television show LOST! Our white-furred friend is largely native to the Arctic Circle and is known throughout the world as the biggest carnivore on land. The ecological characteristics that make-up a Polar Bear are that they are built for coldest and harshest conditions you can imagine. The wonderful aspect of Polar Bear lifestyles is that they are fit for traversing both the tough landscapes of endless ice caps and the below freezing temperatures of the harsh waters; these bears are competing with the Navy Seals as the finest experts on handling land and sea operations. This is in fact where their name comes from. Not the Navy Seals of course, but the word polar itself originated from the old name of Maritime Bear. A creature based in the ocean.
So why are these beautiful beasts endangered? Well, I’m afraid that is almost entirely down to us. Silly people. Polar Bears were hunted for centuries by different cultures for different purposes. Only in recent history have controls and regulations been enforced to preserve the Polar Bear populations. At present, the Polar Bear population is in decline. This is less to do with hunting and almost entirely down to global warming. The World Conservation Union has researched that this vulnerable species will see a population reduction of 30% in the next three generations. That’s little more than 45 years from now. The major contributing factor to this creature’s potential extinction from global warming, beyond the pollution factor, is malnutrition and starvation. This happens due to the loss of their habitats through the ice shelves breaking away, causing the Bears to land ashore prematurely before they have collected the necessary fat stores to survive periods of limited food in the late summer.
Beasts’ concern is for this beast’s longevity and existence. There is no way we could sit idly by knowing these facts and not join the cause to raise awareness and promote conservation. We continue to support and donate £1 from every pair of designer flip flops sold to the Born Free Foundation for this very reason.
Beasts footwear has found a way to keep these issues alive and in conversation. We want you to join the tribe, support the causes and share your opinions and stories with us. Find your way into our community and get a pair of Polar-rising designer flip flops to show your support!