From the annals of earthweek

The ice is breaking up, and a large chunk carrying the mother bear with her two cubs has floated far out to sea. Everywhere they look, only a vast expanse of sparkling blue. Sometimes they hear the distant rumble of helicopters. She knows she might still make it to shore if she starts swimming now, but the cubs are too young – she knows this too.

Two days later a fishing boat captain reports a sighting, the three figures huddled together, motionless, still floating into the shimmering abyss.