• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Government's Latest Failure to Determine Polar Bear Status Leads to Lawsuit

Posted on: Thursday, 13 March 2008, 18:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, March 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) today applauded the lawsuit filed by Center for Biological Diversity, Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace against the U.S. government for failing to meet a deadline to decide if polar bears should be listed under the Endangered Species Act and again called upon the Bush Administration to take immediate action in listing the polar bear as endangered.

"The government's failure to list the polar bear in a timely manner has not gone unnoticed," said Jeffrey Flocken, Office Director, IFAW Washington, D.C. "This lawsuit, as well as a preliminary investigation by Interior Department's inspector general into why the government continues to delay its decision, are necessary and commendable steps."

Long-term action is required to address the significant environmental factors negatively affecting polar bears survival.

"Polar bears have become the worldwide poster child for the impact that global warming is having on our planet," added Flocken. "These majestic animals are highly imperiled and the Administration must act now. There is no more time for procrastination on this crucial decision."

Global warming is slowly melting the Arctic sea-ice habitat that polar bears need to breed, den, and hunt, resulting in drowning bears, starvation, litters of fewer offspring, and lower cub survival rates. According to a U.S. Geological Survey, two-thirds of the world's polar bear population will be lost by 2050.

"There is more than enough scientific evidence to prove that endangered status is essential to protecting the species," added Flocken. "The government has not only an opportunity, but an obligation to act now before we lose the polar bear forever."

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Founded in 1969, IFAW is an international animal welfare and conservation organization that works to protect wild and domestic animals and to broker solutions that benefit both animals and people. With offices in 15 countries around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great apes, big cats, dogs and cats, seals, and other animals.

To learn more, visit http://www.ifaw.org/.

International Fund for Animal Welfare

CONTACT: Abby Berman of The Rosen Group, +1-212-255-8455,abby@rosengrouppr.com; or Brandon Frazier of IFAW, +1-202-536-1907,bfrazier@ifaw.org

Web Site: http://www.ifaw.org/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

More News in this Category