| Manitoba Lists Polar Bears as Protected | 04 March 08 |
 In February 2008 Manitoba's Conservation Minister announced that polar bears would be listed as " threatened" under Manitoba's Endangered Species Act. The regulation unther the Act does not include "the preservation and survival of the habitat of an endangered species."Listed by the World Conservation Union as threatened due to loss of sea ice in 2006, polar bears are found around Hudson's Bay, including waters inside Manitoba jurisdiction. In 1996 Wapusk (Cree for white bear) national park was established by Canada and Manitoba, with close to one million hectares protected. Steps to protect Manitoba fjords, lowlands adjacent to the national park, and Hudson's Bay waters are still outstanding. Polar bear dens are located both inside and outside current protected areas in northeastern Manitoba. Although the government announcement claims differently, many dens are not protected from development, despite being inside candidates for protection designed by Manitoba Conservation. Controversy and court cases continue in the United States regarding listing of polar bears as endangered where populations are located in Alaska. View World Conservation Union Red List 2007 - Polar Bear listing View Manitoba Endangered Species Act regulation (PDF) View February 7, 2008 Manitoba government press release View Manitoba Endangered Species Act Visit Wapusk National Park website Sources: World Conservation Union, Manitoba Government |
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