POLAR BEAR THREATENED by melting ice due to global warming, US to admit.

U.S. Wants Polar Bears Listed as Threatened

By Juliet Eilperin

Washington Post Staff WriterWednesday, December 27, 2006; Page A01

The Bush administration has decided to propose listing the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, putting the U.S. government on record as saying that global warming could drive one of the world's most recognizable animals out of existence.

The administration's proposal -- which was described by an Interior Department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity -- stems from the fact that rising temperatures in the Arctic are shrinking the sea ice that polar bears need for hunting. The official insisted on anonymity because the department will submit the proposal today for publication in the Federal Register, after which it will be subject to public comment for 90 days. >>>cont

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