Secretary Kempthorne announced yesterday that the polar bear will be protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a threatened species due to the threat of decreasing sea ice habitat caused by climate change.

The listing is based on the best available science, which shows that loss of sea ice threatens and will likely continue to threaten polar bear habitat. This loss of habitat puts polar bears at risk of becoming endangered in the foreseeable future, the standard established by the ESA for designating a threatened species.

In making the announcement, Kempthorne said, "I am also announcing that this listing decision will be accompanied by administrative guidance and a rule that defines the scope of impact my decision will have, in order to protect the polar bear while limiting the unintended harm to the society and economy of the United States."

According to the ESA, a species is listed as "threatened" when it is at risk of becoming "endangered" within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. In contrast, a species is "endangered" when it is currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Department of Interior News Release

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Photo credit: Susanne Miller, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service