Canada Will Hold National Conference on Polar Bear Conservation

Canada’s government, which has stopped short of declaring polar bears an endangered species, will hold a national conference this fall on protecting the animals, the environment minister said. The announcement follows a scientific panel’s report in April confirming the status of Canada’s polar bears — a national symbol — as “of special concern.” Some environmental groups criticized that determination, especially after the United States in May listed polar bears as a “threatened” species. Canada is home to at least 60 percent of the world’s roughly 25,000 polar bears, which are affected by hunting as well as the global warming that is melting their Arctic habitat. Environment Minister John Baird said the national conference will take place by the end of November and will include Arctic natives, who have resisted further hunting restrictions. “Protecting the polar bears is something we are committed to, but we are going to base it on science and with input and collaboration with Inuit and northern people,” Baird said.