Polar bear trade ban divides campaigners Wildlife campaigners
are at odds over a new attempt to ban the global trade in polar
bear parts. Some activists say the market for rugs and ornaments
made from the bears is driving them to extinction. But others
argue that the most pressing problem for the species is climate
change and the disappearance of polar ice. The issue will be
decided at a UN wildlife conservation meeting in Thailand in
March 2013. The Humane Society International/UK says that polar
bears have been brought to a tipping point by climate change but
that increased hunting in recent years is pushing the species
"beyond the brink". End Quote Dr Colman O'Criodain WWF We can't
be arguing for the science when it suits us and then ignore it
when it doesn't suit our case” "The drivers for the increase in
recent years in the trade in polar bear parts are the extremely
worrying and rapidly increasing prices being paid on
international markets for polar bear parts," said Mark Jones,
executive director of th