BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Alaska Are polar bears an endangered species?

Last December a proposal was made to list polar bears as a threatened species due to shrinking sea ice, their primary habitat. Sarah Palin, Alaska's governor, opposes such a listing. What do you think?

Polar bears are very dangerous animals.

Save The Planet
BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

Them being dangerous does not change their right to live, nor their right to protection of their natural habitat.

I am not sure how I feel about anyone opposing the listing of an animal as endangered, other than the fact that I realise that perhaps they are hunted for food. But that is no reason to hunt them into oblivion-protecting their right to hunt now only ensures that there will be no bears to hunt in the future. It's taking care of today but not thinking about tomorrow.

I agree with you - being dangerous is not a valid criteria for protection. Nor is it wise to hunt a species to the point of no return. Do you think it's possible to find a balance between the conservation and protection of species and the protection of Native traditions and hunting rights?

Here's the latest update on the Palin administration's efforts to keep the polar bear from being listed:

BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!