By Wallace Witkowski - May 14, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior said Wednesday it listed polar bears as a threatened species because growing losses of sea ice threaten the animals' natural habitat. Under the Endangered Species Act, a "threatened" species is under serious threats that may eventually lead to its extinction, whereas an "endangered" species is on the brink of extinction. "I am also announcing that this listing decision will be accompanied by administrative guidance and a rule that defines the scope of impact my decision will have, in order to protect the polar bear while limiting the unintended harm to the society and economy of the United States," Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said in a statement.
Source:
Interior Dept. lists polar bears as threatened species - MarketWatch
Related:
Polar bear now listed as 'threatened' species - CNN.com