U.S. to give threatened polar bears vast 'critical habitat'

[abc]

U.S. to give threatened polar bears vast 'critical habitat'


October 24, 2009

The United States on Thursday announced plans to designate more than
200,000 square miles in Alaska as critical habitat for polar bears, a
key step towards increasing protection for the threatened species.

The United States on Thursday announced plans to designate more than
200,000 square miles in Alaska as critical habitat for polar bears, a
key step towards increasing protection for the threatened species.
Photograph by: Michael Latz, AFP

WASHINGTON � The United States on Thursday announced plans to designate
more than 200,000 square miles in Alaska as critical habitat for polar
bears, a key step towards increasing protection for the threatened
species.

"Proposing critical habitat for this iconic species is one step in the
right direction to help this species stave off extinction, recognizing
that the greatest threat to the polar bear is the melting of Arctic sea
ice caused by climate change," Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish,
Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland said in a statement announcing the
move.

The habitat would cover 200,541 square miles (519,399 square
kilometeters) and include barrier islands along Alaska's coast, sea ice
habitat, land and rivers near the coast where the bears make their
dens.