Wildlife charity backs policy of exploitation of small number of some endangered species for economic purposes – such as trophy hunting

Wildlife charity backs policy of exploitation of small number of some endangered species for economic purposes – such as trophy hunting.

The wildlife charity WWF has been working to support the trade in polar bear fur at the same time as using images of the bears to raise money, it can be revealed.

Polar bears are severely affected by the loss of Arctic sea ice, which makes seeking prey harder and forces the bears to use more energy. In some regions, polar bears are showing signs of declining physical condition, having fewer cubs, and dying younger.

Despite their endangered status, polar bears are hunted commercially in Canada, the only country that still allows the practice after it was banned by Russia, Greenland, the US and Norway. An annual average of 300–400 skins are exported, primarily to China, where a full pelt sells for an average of $60,000 (£48,000) and is often used for luxury clothing or as a rug.

  • Tau@lemy.lol
    61·
    3 days ago

    Well, I’m not saying it is not true, but I looked up in internet and no news site has echoed this specific information. The article doesn’t even say how WWF is involved. Where is the proof? It appears to be misinformation against WWF.

      • Tau@lemy.lol
        1·
        3 days ago

        I’ve red them. They basically say that polar bears aren’t endangered enough to get the highest level of protection (Appendix I, CITES), but at the same time they give a lot of recomendations to stop hurting their poblations.

        And we can agree that polar bears should have the highest level of protection. In my opinion WWF should grant them that status, it seems a little bit unethical fron a “green” organization to say that is ok to trade with polar bear furs.

        That is one thing. But to say that WWF is benefitting from trading with polar bear furs? Like wtf, it seems like a HUGE misconception argued in bad faith. As I said, where is the proof?

    • khannie@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      I am a sceptic so appreciate the scepticism but someone has to be the first to report on something and I’d consider them a fairly reputable source.