The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) today published a proposal to list the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) as a threatened species under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposal comes almost two years after the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the US Government to consider the Polar Bear for protection. By law, when such a petition is submitted, the US FWS has 90 days to review the petition's findings and determine if it presents the enough evidence to merit further action. But the 90 day review period passed with no response from the US FWS. So in July of 2005, the Center for Biological Diversity joined forces with Greenpeace and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and prepared for battle with the US government. On December 15, 2005, the conservation organizations sued the US Government for ignoring their petition.

The US Government responded in February 2006 by placing the Polar Bear under review for endangered status. Now, almost one year after their review began, the US FWS has taken the next step towards listing the Polar Bear under the ESA:

"After review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the polar bear as a threatened species under the Act is warranted. Accordingly, we herein propose to list the polar bear as threatened throughout its range pursuant to the Act. This proposed rule, if made final, would extend the Act’s protections to this species. Critical habitat for the polar bear is not determinable at this time. The Service seeks data and comments from the public on this proposed listing rule." ~ US FWS Proposal.

The US FWS will now hold a 90-day comment period (additional commenting periods may follow) and initiate a detailed review of the status of the species. A final decision whether or not to list the Polar Bear under the ESA will be made in approximately one year, after all comments have been received and available scientific evidence has been collected and reviewed.

Find out more:

• Proposed Rule for Polar Bear Listing (US FWS / Federal Register)
• Polar Bear Headed for Endangered Species Act Protection (Center for Biological Diversity)
• Petition to List Polar Bear under Endangered Species Act (Center for Biological Diversity)
• Suit Filed to Obtain Decision (Center for Biological Diversity)
• Proposal to List the Polar Bear as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act (US FWS Alaska)

Photo © Creighton / iStockphoto.