Andrew Wetzler, Director, Land & Wildlife Program, Chicago

Yesterday the United States – backed by the support of the Russian Federation – proposed listing the polar bear on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).  If approved by the international community this March, the proposal would ban the cross-border commercial trade in polar bear parts.

As we’ve discussed here at Switchboard, commercial hunting is one of the leading threats to polar bear populations in Canada – the only country that still allows for the international commercial trade in these magnificent and endangered animals.

By putting forward its proposal, the Obama Administration has shown real consistency and leadership.  NRDC will continue to push for all the protections for polar bear we can secure, so they have a fighting chance to survive while mankind stabilizes our climate.

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