The federal government will designate "critical habitat" for polar bears in the ocean off Alaska's coast, a decision that could add restrictions to future offshore petroleum exploration or drilling.
WASHINGTON -- Five industry groups have sued the Interior Department over a rule to protect the polar bear that they say unfairly singles out business operations in Alaska for their contribution to global warming.
Alaska sues over listing of polar bear as threatened
The State of Alaska sued Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Monday, seeking to reverse his decision to list polar bears as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
Environmental and animal rights groups have lined up to oppose a lawsuit that seeks to let American sport hunters again import hides of polar bears shot legally in Canada.
Oil firms get OK to bother polar bears
Less than a month after declaring polar bears a threatened species because of global warming, the Bush administration is allowing oil companies to affect them in small ways while exploring for oil and natural gas in the Chukchi Sea over the next five years.
Lawsuits for polar bears built on Endangered Species Act
Two conservation groups have given the federal government formal notice they intend to sue to protect polar bears from petroleum exploration and drilling off Alaska's coast.
E-mail reveals state dispute over polar bear listing
The state's marine mammal scientists agreed last year with federal researchers who concluded polar bears are threatened with extinction because of a shrinking ice cap.
State will sue over polar bear listing, Palin says
Alaska will sue to challenge the recent listing of polar bears as a threatened species, Gov. Sarah Palin said Wednesday.
Bear advocates fight to curb emissions
Conservation groups announced Tuesday they are challenging Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne's attempt to limit collateral economic damage from listing polar bears as a threatened species.
Groups sue over polar bear listing
Conservation groups that sued to list polar bears as threatened are back in court taking aim at what they say is the animals' top threat — greenhouse gas emissions that have led to rapid melting of polar bear habitat, sea ice.
Polar bears join 'threatened' list
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced Wednesday that the agency will list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, a decision that could cast the bears as the enduring symbol of the effects of global warming.
Senators blast polar bear's 'threatened' status
WASHINGTON -- Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced Wednesday that the agency will list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, a decision that could cast the bears as the enduring symbol of the effects of global warming.
Deadline approaches for polar bear decision
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne hasn't added a U.S. creature to the endangered species list since he took office two years ago. The former Idaho governor has until Thursday to decide on one that could prove troublesome to promising petroleum drilling off Alaska's northern coast and force federal agencies in other states to react to new greenhouse gas emissions.
Legislature wants polar bear study
The state Legislature is looking to hire a few good polar bear scientists. The conclusions have already been agreed upon -- researchers just have to fill in the science part.
A federal judge has ordered the Interior Department to decide within 16 days whether polar bears should be listed as a threatened species because of global warming.
Judge orders decision on bears
A federal judge has ordered the Interior Department to decide within 16 days whether polar bears should be listed as a threatened species.
Interior secretary dodges hearing
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne was a no-show Wednesday in front of a Senate committee seeking an explanation for why his agency has been slow to decide whether to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Polar bear limbo goes to court
Three conservation groups sued the Department of the Interior on Monday for failing to meet a deadline on deciding whether to list polar bears as threatened because of the loss of Arctic sea ice.
Conservation groups sue for polar bear decision
Three conservation groups sued the Department of the Interior on Monday for failing to meet a deadline on a decision to list polar bears as threatened because of the loss of Arctic sea ice.
Concerns about pipeline test polar-bear politics
The polar bear can be found in just one place in America -- Alaska -- and is perhaps as much a symbol of the state as, say, alligators are of Florida. So you might think Alaska's politicians would be pounding on doors in Washington to protect it.
Legal fray likely after ruling on polar bear status
If U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director Dale Hall really thinks he can do nothing about greenhouse gases to save the polar bear, he'll be hearing soon from Kassie Siegel.
VIDEO
A bear attacking a moose calf woke Ryan and Jennifer McLendon one morning.
VIDEO
Grizzly bears dine on a moose hindquarter at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
VIDEO
Alaska state biologist Sean Farley talks about the recent bear/human conflicts in Anchorage.
VIDEO
Zayk and Mavis, the Alaska Zoo's black bears, give up on a 96-gallon bear-resistant garbage container before successfully opening a standard can.
INTERACTIVE MAP
Tracking Anchorage grizzly bears
Track the movements of 11 Brown Bears in and around Anchorage.
READER-SUBMITTED
Grizzly, black, and even Polar bear photos from our readers.
VIDEO
A bear attacking a moose calf woke Ryan and Jennifer McLendon one morning.
VIDEO
Grizzly bears dine on a moose hindquarter at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
Photographer Bob Hallinen visited the Mcneil River and captured some fascinating photographs and video of Alaska's famous inhabitants.
Their status as an endangered species is a hot political item, but the images of these rare arctic animals are a breathtaking sight.
SECTION
Coverage of the "Grizzly Man," Timothy Treadwell, who was killed by a bear in Katmai National Park and then made international headlines when a documentary was made about him.
Retiree welcomes neighborhood bears
Fifty miles northwest of Alaska's largest city, the roadless hills and boggy swamps of the Yentna River Valley have for years hidden the secret of bear man Charlie Vandergaw.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Endangered status may not help polar bears
Groups sue for polar bear documents
Young warns against halting Chukchi leases
Polar bear status won't halt oil exploration
Alaska polar bears called doomed
U.S. polar bear review criticized
Alaska in no rush to protect polar bear
Memo seals lips on global warming
State questions polar bear listing
'Threatened' polar bear listing debated
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