Heeeeeeeelllllllllllpppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Although much of the traditional harvesting in local communities is sustainable, the over-hunting or harvesting of polar bears historically has been a threat to the species. This has been largely mitigated through various management practices implemented by WWF. However, in some parts of the bears' range, poaching is still a major problem.

There are an estimated 22,000 polar bears living in 20 discreet populations worldwide. Illegal hunting or over-harvesting does not affect all polar bear populations, but can be a major threat to smaller populations and in areas without established regulation or enforcement. Although actual harvest levels are unknown in some areas, an estimated 250-300 polar bears were illegally taken on Russia's Chukotka Peninsula in 2002, twice the level experienced in previous years. This increase is likely a result in changes in climate, causing early ice retreat and stranding large number of bears on land. A recent population study indicated that, even at a harvest level of 180 bears per year, there would likely be a 50 percent reduction in this population size in less than 20 years.

Hunting
The International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears allows the hunting of polar bears by indigenous people using traditional methods and exercising traditional rights. We respect the rights of indigenous peoples to harvest marine mammals in a responsible manner. Most hunting is done in a sustainable manner, but overhunting is an additional stress on some polar bear populations. Currently, the hunting of polar bears by nonnative sport hunters is legal in Canada and Greenland.

Polar Bear Slideshow

" rel="lightbox[album10068]">

Please click the photo to start the slideshow.

A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More

Happy birthday Mari!!!!

1/25/10

reasearch questinons

why would you want to poach polar bears?

what will happen to polar bears if we keep poaching them?

what can we do to help polar bears in the future?

in how many years will polar bears be go if we keep poaching them?

what is global warming share of killing them off?

what are polar bears being poached for?

who can poach polar bears?

what will happen if the polar bears become extinct?

notes

Today, Norway is the only polar bear nation that protects polar bears from all forms of hunting. The other four nations—Canada, the U.S., Russia, and Greenland—permit native hunts, which have traditionally been an important cultural activity and source of income. Of these, Canada is the only nation that allows sport or trophy hunting by non-natives and non-citizens.


Canada allows natives to hunt polar bears under a quota system that divides permits among native communities.In the United States, only Alaskan natives can hunt polar bears. Because the U.S. population of polar bears is shared with Russia, harvest levels in both countries will, in future, be based on a quota system between the two countries, although quotas have not yet been set (see paragraph below).



(9 most poach animal)


Indigenous peoples in some Canadian communities argue that the population counts by scientists are too low—they cite the number of polar bears arriving in villages and believe that traditional and local knowledge should be used in setting quotas. Scientists, however, stand by their survey methods. They say that the presence of more polar bears is not an indication of a population increase. Rather, it is a sign of disrupted migration patterns as the bears are forced ashore by melting ice.

At the March 2009 range states meeting of the five polar bear nations, scientists agree that climate change is the single biggest threat facing polar bears. At present, the polar bear is classified as a threatened species, but careful management, combined with urgently needed action on climate change, is necessary in order for the species to survive.