U.S. to limit oil development in polar bear habitat

Oct. 6, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department will designate within two years protected areas of the Arctic that are considered critical habitat for polar bears and cannot be harmed by oil development as part of a legal settlement with environmental groups on Monday.

Zoo's non-mating polar bears both female

KUSHIRO, Japan, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Zookeepers in Kushiro, Japan, said they have discovered the problem preventing their pair of polar bears from mating -- the animals are both female.

World's oldest captive polar bear dies

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The world's oldest captive polar bear was euthanized in Winnipeg, Canada, at the age of 42 with veterinarians saying she had multiple organ failure.

Nunavut OKs cull of 105 polar bears

IQALUIT, Nunavut, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The northeastern Canadian territory of Nunavut has ignored conservationists' pleas and will permit a cull of 105 polar bears, officials said.

Milwaukee polar bear remains in moat

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A polar bear who fell into his moat has resisted delicacies strategically placed to lure him back to his lair, say Milwaukee County Zoo keepers.

Polar bear plunges into zoo moat

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Officials with Wisconsin's Milwaukee County Zoo said one of their polar bears took his second tumble into the moat surrounding his enclosure in 15 years.

Palin fought polar bear protection

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The head of a conservation group in Alaska is dissatisfied with Gov. Sarah Palin's record when it comes to the environment and global warming.

Polar bears sighted in open water

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Federal officials confirm 10 polar bears, an unusually large number, have recently been seen swimming in open Alaskan waters.

Alaska to challenge polar bear listing

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, May 21 (UPI) -- Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg has been asked by the governor to challenge a recent federal decision to list polar bears as a threatened species.

Polar bear listed as threatened species

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced Wednesday he will order the polar bear to be listed as a threatened species.

Alaska eyeing major polar bear study

JUNEAU, Alaska, May 4 (UPI) -- The Alaskan government wants to find scientists who will study polar bears to prove they are not threatened by global warming, officials say.

U.S. listing could hurt Canada bear guides

RESOLUTE BAY, Nunavut, April 27 (UPI) -- The United States is considering listing the polar bear as an endangered species, a move that could put Inuit guides out of business in Canada.

Alaska tests bear-proof trash bins

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 22 (UPI) -- About 500 Anchorage, Alaska, homes are being provided with free bear-resistant garbage cans to keep bears out of their trash during the summer months.

Avon recalls Chinese-made warming bears

WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of approximately 113,000 Chinese-made Avon-brand plush warming polar bears.

Sweets company scoops up polar bear's name

NUREMBURG, Germany, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A zoo in Nuremburg, Germany, has asked a court to remove the trademark from "Flocke the polar bear," a product name registered by a sweets manufacturer.