Canadian Polar Bears Declared Species at Risk

Solar Power Bears

The Honorable Peter Kent (Canadian Environment Minister) declared that the polar bear is now considered a species of special concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Approximately sixty percent of the world’s Polar Bear populations are found in Canadian Arctic regions from the Yukon all the way to Newfoundland and Labrador and from Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, to James Bay. Polar Bear populations in Canada are at high risk in several Canadian subpopulations due to climate change, over-harvesting and other similar environmental issues. Therefore the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has assessed that the Polar Bear is a species of special concern.

“Canada is home to two-thirds of the world’s polar bear population and we have a unique conservation responsibility to effectively care for them,” said Minister Kent. “Our Government is demonstrating leadership in protecting this iconic species. Listing the polar bear under the Species at Risk Act represents an important contribution to protecting our environment and the animals that live in it.”

As a result of this, an extensive management plan will be prepared over the next three years by Environment Canada with the intent “to alleviate human threats in order to remove the polar bear from the Species at Risk list.” The plan will build upon the already existing National Polar Bear Conservation Strategy.

Listing the Polar Bear under SARA represents an important step towards fulfilling SARA’s commitment to reduce the risk of the species becoming threatened or endangered. A management plan will be developed with affected parties within three years of this listing decision. The listing decision however does not affect Aboriginal peoples’ ability to harvest Polar Bears.

[Sources: Blogs.science.gc.ca/blog/2011/11/10/bears-ours/ & Gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2011/2011-11-09/html/sor-dors233-eng.html]