An usually large number of polar bears has been spotted swimming in open waters, off the northwest coast of Alaska, at distances from shore that have raised a lot of concerns regarding their chances to survive.

According to official reports from the Fish and Wildlife Services, the bears were seen at least 35 miles off the coast, and one of them was seen swimming 60 miles off the shore. This reduces their chances to survive, experts explain, exposing them to drowning from fatigue. Furthermore, if a storm sets in, the are unlikely to make it to shore.

Environmentalists drew alarm signals on the effects global warming has on the natural habitat of the polar bears, who are now forced to look for food in distant places from what used to be an extended sea ice. Polar bears and their cubs have no chances of surviving if the ice sheet continues to melt.

Last year, we saw the most dramatic reduction of sea ice in the recorded history, reaching an all-time low. Unfortunately, it looks like the downward trend continues year by year, and we could be looking at an ice-free Arctic within the next two decades.

The bears are clearly suffering from a continuously-shrinking habitat, but some people just don't seem to understand that. In May this year, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made the announcement that they will challenge the decision to enlist the polar bears on the endangered species list.

The Governor motivated that the decision was not based on sufficient evidence, and furthermore, she claimed that the polar bear population rapidly increased over the last few decades.

However, that is not what we see! As Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne himself admitted, the sea-ice habitat of the polar bear has undoubtedly shrunk over the past decades, and computer models pointed to a continuous retreat for the next 45 years, which could lead the bears to extinction.