Earth Equity News

U.S. Listing Will Put Pressure on Canada to Do More. By Martin Mittelstaedt, Toronto Globe and Mail, May 15, 2008. "[The U.S. classification of the polar bear as endangered]... will have ramifications in Canada by blocking the import into the U.S. of bear skins and other body parts from animals killed by U.S. trophy hunters. It will also put pressure on Ottawa to offer similar protection. Canada currently gives polar bears its lowest level of protection -- a designation of being of 'special concern,' which requires no practical actions to safeguard populations. Environment Minister John Baird told reporters yesterday that he'll consider tougher action, if a scientific review to be finished by August recommends it... Although the U.S. government now views the species as threatened, the future of the polar bear is likely to be determined in Canada, where about two-thirds of the estimated global population of between 20,000 and 25,000 [polar bears] live."