U.S. lists polar bears as 'threatened' species

by Amy Judd | May 14, 2008 at 11:14 am

851 views | 12 Recommendations | 11 comments

The United States has decided to list polar bears as a threatened species under its Endangered Species Act.
I think this is really good news, but is has some Canadians wondering about the hunting of polar bears and how that will affect them.

The decision follows concerns from scientists that two-thirds of the polar bears could disappear by mid-century because of sea ice loss due to global warming.

Several American activist groups, including Greenpeace and the Center for Biological Diversity, have also been lobbying hard to have polar bears listed as threatened. Experts now believe there are up to 25,000 polar bears remaining on the planet, and that number is in decline.

Listing the polar bear as a threatened species means all U.S. federal agencies will have to ensure that anything they authorize that might affect polar bears will not jeopardize their survival or the sea ice where they live. That could include oil and gas exploration, commercial shipping or even releases of toxic contaminants or climate-affecting pollution.

But the decision will also impact Inuit hunters, especially in Nunavut, who profit from U.S. hunters coming north for trophy hunts for bears. The industry can net Inuit guides thousands of dollars per hunt.

The Nunavut government opposed listing the species as threatened, as politicians fear it could lead to a ban on the import of trophy bear hunts and potentially bar American sport hunters from bringing the hides of the animals back home with them, severely limiting the appeal of the hunt.

Polar bears have been a species "of special concern" in Canada since 1991 — one step below "threatened" and two steps down from "endangered." Last month, the scientific committee that evaluates species at risk recommended that the federal government retain the "special concern" designation for the polar bear.

Environment Minister John Baird has said that Canada will not necessarily follow the lead of the U.S. But some scientists have said it would be difficult for Canada to justify not giving polar bears a similar designation.

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michelle.sundvick

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 11:25 on May 14th, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

It'll be interesting to see whether Canada follows suit. Does anyone think they have a strong enough argument not to take action and respond to the calls from American environmental activist groups to move the bears from the "special concern" list to the threatened species one??

Barbara McPherson

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:21 on May 14th, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. It sounds good, but when money runs up against polar bears I'm afraid they'll be the casualties. North Slope oil is a powerful lure.

moria_nagy

at 20:10 on May 14th, 2008

This polar bear is in the Asahiyama zoo in Asahikawa Japan. This is a very famous zoo in Japan but still quite small compared to American zoos.

moria_nagy has contributed a photo to this story.

ccarrmmenn

at 20:54 on May 14th, 2008

The polar bears have always been my favorite part of visiting the Indianapolis Zoo. I just recently took my two boys to the zoo for the first time! It was a very special experience for us all.

ccarrmmenn has contributed a photo to this story.

watashi-wa

at 22:59 on May 14th, 2008

Amsterdam Zoo's Polar Bear. The bear was a popular attraction for young and old alike, gathering a crowd only matched by the zoo's elephants.

watashi-wa has contributed a photo to this story.

Jpos

at 07:18 on May 15th, 2008

Photo take at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago.

Jpos has contributed a photo to this story.

j.lemay

at 08:06 on May 15th, 2008

This is the Polar Bear of the Lincoln Park of Chicago

j.lemay has contributed a photo to this story.

hoovie918

at 08:28 on May 17th, 2008

A Well taken care of Polar Bear located inside the Tacoma Zoo.

hoovie918 has contributed a photo to this story.

mahalo9134

at 16:36 on May 19th, 2008

Polar Bear at the San Diego Zoo.

mahalo9134 has contributed a photo to this story.

Michael James six

at 12:13 on May 21st, 2008

The Polar Bear pictured is Gus form the Central Park zoo in New York.
I do hope we in Canada adopt similar designation for polar bears they and so many other animals need to be protected as to not only exhist as curiosities in zoos.

Michael James six has contributed a photo to this story.

outerbankers2002

at 05:52 on May 27th, 2008

This picture was taken on May the 9th at the St.Louis Zoo,however beautiful was this amazing animal, he was quite agitated over something constantly pacing and he also had a red ball that he would toss about and move around loke he did not want to be there which to me was so very sad..

outerbankers2002 has contributed a photo to this story.