US-Russia Agreement on Polar Bear Conservation

Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 21, 2007

U.S.-Russia Bilateral Agreement on Polar Bear Conservation

An agreement between the governments of the United States and the Russian Federation to protect the shared Alaska-Chukotka polar bear population will become effective on September 23, 2007.

The agreement calls for the active involvement of native people in both countries in managing the polar bear population. It will enhance long-term joint efforts in the conservation of the species and its habitats, and will also require biological data collection.

The treaty contains specific protections for females with cubs and cubs less than one year old.

The United States and Russia concluded this agreement in 2000 and the U.S. Senate ratified it in 2003.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of State are the principal U.S. implementing agencies.

Further information about polar bear management in Alaska, and on the proposed Endangered Species Act listing of polar bears worldwide, can be found at: http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/issues.htm.

ENDS

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