Manitoba Designates the Polar Bear as Threatened
On February 7, 2008, the province of Manitoba, home to the world-famous polar bears that gather near Churchill each fall, recognized the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, according to Conservation Minister Stan Struthers.
"We must continue to take action to protect one of our province's most unique species which is clearly being affected by climate change," said Struthers.
Declaring the polar bear a threatened species will further ensure its protection, along with its habitat on both Crown and privately-owned land, said Struthers. The new listing provides Manitoba Conservation with the ability to restrict development near critical habitat along the Hudson Bay coastline in the province.
Struthers said that significant changes that are impacting polar bears and their surroundings include:
* Changes in Arctic sea ice breakup, which is critical for the polar bear's survival
* An earlier spring breakup and a longer ice-free period on Hudson Bay, which is affecting the western Hudson Bay sub-population that is shared between Manitoba and Nunavut
* A 22 percent decline in the overall western Hudson Bay sub-population, which dropped to just 935 bears in 2004
* A steady decline in polar bear hardiness and reduced survival of cubs.
In 2002, the provincial government introduced the Polar Bear Protection Act, which regulates the capture, holding and export of live polar bears. The province also issued stronger regulations under a
new Resource Tourism Operators Act, which established fines and stricter licensing regulations for outfitters and ecotourism operators, some of who work in these sensitive habitats.
The minister also noted Polar Bears International announced in December 2006 it was relocating its worldwide headquarters to Manitoba. The move strengthened co-operative efforts with Winnipeg's Partners in the Park to increase education and research on polar bears in the Hudson Bay region.
"Dramatic climate changes to polar bear habitat continue to be researched and documented by scientists from around the world here in Manitoba," Struthers said. "Our government will continue to lead the way in aggressively implementing our climate-change plan to help protect the polar bear and recognize that by ensuring its future health, we are ensuring the well-being of all Manitobans."
"We must continue to take action to protect one of our province's most unique species which is clearly being affected by climate change," said Struthers.
Declaring the polar bear a threatened species will further ensure its protection, along with its habitat on both Crown and privately-owned land, said Struthers. The new listing provides Manitoba Conservation with the ability to restrict development near critical habitat along the Hudson Bay coastline in the province.
Struthers said that significant changes that are impacting polar bears and their surroundings include:
* Changes in Arctic sea ice breakup, which is critical for the polar bear's survival
* An earlier spring breakup and a longer ice-free period on Hudson Bay, which is affecting the western Hudson Bay sub-population that is shared between Manitoba and Nunavut
* A 22 percent decline in the overall western Hudson Bay sub-population, which dropped to just 935 bears in 2004
* A steady decline in polar bear hardiness and reduced survival of cubs.
In 2002, the provincial government introduced the Polar Bear Protection Act, which regulates the capture, holding and export of live polar bears. The province also issued stronger regulations under a
new Resource Tourism Operators Act, which established fines and stricter licensing regulations for outfitters and ecotourism operators, some of who work in these sensitive habitats.
The minister also noted Polar Bears International announced in December 2006 it was relocating its worldwide headquarters to Manitoba. The move strengthened co-operative efforts with Winnipeg's Partners in the Park to increase education and research on polar bears in the Hudson Bay region.
"Dramatic climate changes to polar bear habitat continue to be researched and documented by scientists from around the world here in Manitoba," Struthers said. "Our government will continue to lead the way in aggressively implementing our climate-change plan to help protect the polar bear and recognize that by ensuring its future health, we are ensuring the well-being of all Manitobans."
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