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.