Will Canada Stop Trade in Polar Bear Parts?
Rodger Schlickeisen, Defenders of Wildlife
As polar bears struggle to survive, collectors in some countries can still buy polar bear skin rugs, claws, skulls and other parts to decorate their homes.
Thanks to more than 43,000 Defenders supporters, the U.S. is proposing to increase protections for these iconic bears through CITES1, the powerful international agreement that regulates trade in imperiled wildlife.
But this critical proposal needs the support of the Canadian government -- and you can help persuade them to support it.
Global warming is having a tremendous effect on our polar bears. Without drastic action, these arctic icons could disappear from the U.S. in a few short decades.2 With seasonal sea ice is well below average3, polar bear homes are literally melting away. Some are even drowning in their search for adequate sea ice for food.
Besides their daily struggle to survive in a warming world, polar bears are also facing threats from oil drilling, poaching and pollution.
This March, representatives from 175 nations will meet in Doha, Qatar to vote on strengthening protections for polar bears. Home to around 60 percent of the world’s polar bears,4 Canada’s support for this vital proposal would help save hundreds of polar bears each year -- and give them a chance at a lasting future.
Please take action today and help end the international commercial trade in polar bear parts.
Together, we can make a difference for struggling polar bears.
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Sincerely,
Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife |
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1 CITES: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
2 Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. U.S. Global Change Research Program. Page 86. http://www.globalchange.gov/images/cir/pdf/ecosystems.pdf
3 National Snow and Ice Data Center: http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/
4 Environment Canada. Conservation of Polar Bears in Canada: http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=714D9AAE-1&news=18E4D45A-CB74-41EE-B1A4-DFCCFF4B8173
Urge Canada to Strengthen Polar Bear Protections!
Polar bears are already struggling with global warming, oil drilling and pollution.
