Alaska critical habitat for polar bears declared
WWF applauds the announcement of the proposed designation of key areas of polar bear habitat across Alaska by the US Department of the Interior. The requirement for the identification of 'critical habitat' was triggered by the listing of polar bears as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in 2008.
Arctic warming sees more polar bear populations threatened
The world’s top experts have just confirmed that Arctic warming is continuing its ravages of polar bear populations. The Polar Bear Specialist Group of the International Union of the Conservation of Nature has added to its list of declining polar bear populations.
New Russian Arctic Park to protect key polar bear habitat
Russia will create a new 1.5 million hectare park in the Arctic, a central area for the Barents and Kara Sea polar bear populations.
Russian, US biologists collaborate in polar bear research
In spring 2009, Russian biologist Nikita Ovsyanikov participated in polar bear research in the Chukchi Sea led by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Polar bear ruling underlines need for legislation
US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar says he will retain a special rule issued in December for protecting the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act, but will closely monitor the implementation of the rule to determine if additional measures are necessary.
Video: Walrus calves rescued along Russian coast
The Umky Patrol, or Polar Bear Patrol, which is affiliated with WWF Russia, does important work in monitoring polar bear populations along the Russian coastline, among other things. Late last year, the Patrol rescued some walrus calves on Cape Kozhevnikov after an unusual seeming mass panic, during which many walruses perished. Read the story of the rescue below, or watch the video of the rescue (on the Umky Patrol website) here.
Operation 'Den 2009' comes to an end
A polar bear conservation project organised and run by WWF Russia in the Russian Arctic, known as Operation 'Den 2009', has recently come to an end.
Polar bears and penguins 'just tip of climate change iceberg'
New evidence from the North and South Poles indicates that time is running out for the world’s leaders to respond to climate change.
Arctic nations take important first step towards saving polar bears
Five nations committed by treaty to conserve polar bears have come up with a resolution linking the future of the species to urgent global action on climate change.
Polar bear states retreat behind closed doors to discuss climate measures
Five countries meeting for the first time in 25 years to discuss polar bear conservation today retreated behind closed doors to discuss climate change and national measures being taken to combat it.