The US government has added polar bears to its list of animals to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne made the annoucement on Wednesday after recommendations from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
A report by the US Geological Survey said loss of sea ice as a result of global warming could lead to a destruction of the animal’s habitat and 2/3rds of the species within the next 50 years.
Sources: http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080514a.html
