Media Contacts
Cat Lazaroff
Communications Director
(202)
772-3270
Christine Merker
Communications Coordinator
(202) 772-0284
Not a journalist but need help? Contact our Member Services
team:
1-800-385-9712
Sign up for our Press List
Get Defenders Headlines
Get the latest wildlife conservation news and information... right when we post it online.
For Immediate Release
Zoos Across the Nation Celebrate Bear Awareness Week 2007
Defenders of Wildlife focuses on the plight of the polar bear
Washington D.C. -- Zoos around the country are joining together to celebrate Bear Awareness Week May 13-19, as part of an ongoing partnership between Defenders of Wildlife and the Bear Taxon Advisory Group of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This year, the Philadelphia Zoo, Detroit Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Oregon Zoo, Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, Lincoln Park Zoo, New York State Zoo at Thompson Park, Cape May County Park and Zoo, Buttonwood Park Zoo, Little Rock Zoo, Albuquerque Biological Park, San Antonio Zoo and Houston Zoo will all be hosting special educational events to recognize Bear Awareness Week. These events include special exhibits, talks from bear-keepers, interactive activities, arts and crafts, storytelling, scavenger hunts, educational demonstrations, games and more.
In recognition of Bear Awareness Week 2007, Defenders of Wildlife is raising awareness on the plight of the polar bear by promoting:
Increasing national legal protections for polar bears. If polar bears gain the endangered species protections that were proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in December of 2006, federal regulatory agencies would be required to consider how their decisions, including oil and gas development, affect the habitat and longevity of the polar bear.
Urging the Alaskan government to support protections for polar bears. The state of Alaska is currently opposing the listing, based on an unwarranted fear that the listing will affect Alaska’s economy.
Increasing legal protections for polar bears in Canada. The polar bear should be listed on Schedule 1 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act.
Enforcing all existing laws regulating the take, transport or sale of polar bears and polar bear parts. Current laws reduce market demand overall and consequently limit incentives to over-hunt. Special attention should be given to Internet sales of wildlife parts.
Closely monitoring polar bear hunting programs and limit the number of licenses issued and reduce or eliminate annual quotas as necessary. A bilateral agreement between the United States and Canada allows an annual harvest of 80 bears by a combination of subsistence hunters and sport trophy hunters.
Implementing local and regional bear-awareness campaigns to help minimize conflicts between people and polar bears. Educating people about bear behavior and how to avoid conflicts should minimize the need to resort to lethal control of problem bears. Such bear-awareness programs have been quite successful with other bear species.
Passing legislation to implement the "Agreement on the Conservation and Management of the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population." This 2000 bilateral treaty with Russia seeks to provide better estimates and timely updates on the status of polar bear populations in the Bering/Chukchi Seas. It would also require the two countries to "take steps necessary to prevent loss or degradation of [polar bear] habitats."
"It's time to take responsibility for our actions that have severely degraded polar bear habitat. If we do nothing, we will continue to see declines in polar bear numbers and health," said Karla Dutton, Alaska director with Defenders of Wildlife. "The protective measures we are promoting would help keep these majestic bears around for generations to come."
###
Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 510,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
