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Observers spot 9 polar bears in open ocean ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) _ Environmental groups say they're alarmed that nine polar bears were spotted swimming last Saturday in open water in the Chukchi sea off Alaska's northwest coast. The groups say it's a strong signal that diminished sea ice brought on by global warming has put bears at risk of drowning or dying from effects of fatigue after long swims. Federal wildlife observers performing work for the Minerals Management Service in advance of future offshore oil development spotted the bears. The closest bear to shore was about 15 miles away and the farthest 65 miles. Some were swimming north. Polar bears spend most of their lives on sea ice. Kassie Siegel of the Center for Biological Diversity says polar bears are powerful swimmers but they're at increased risk of drowning in high wind and rough seas if they're far from ice or shore. Siegel says conditions last weekend were similar to those that preceded polar bear drownings in September 2004. Four polar bear carcasses were spotted in the Beaufort Sea after a storm and federal scientists extrapolated that others probably died. U-S Geological Survey senior polar bear scientist Steven Amstrup says the bears could have been on a patch of remaining sea ice that broke up. He says the bears would swim either toward land or toward sea ice a considerable distance to the north. He says only further research can tell the effect of greater swimming distances on polar bear populations. Department of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in May declared polar bears threatened because of the alarming loss of summer sea ice in recent decades and climate models that indicate the trend will continue. |
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August 22, 2008 |
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Man arrested for alleged sexual assaults at sleepovers Authorities say they've arrested a man who allegedly molested or raped six adolescent girls during his daughter's sleepover parties in Anchorage. Anthony Emil Shangin was arrested last week at his cabin in Chignik Lagoon after being indicted on May 22nd. The victims ranged in age from 11 to 15 at the time of the alleged assaults, which took place in 2003 and the summer of 2006. That's according to a police affidavit filed in court. Police say he gave at least one of the victims a sexually transmitted disease.
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Dividend checks to be distributed early |