Post by Woody Williams on Feb 23, 2006 19:13:30 GMT -5
Greenland sets hunting quota for polar bears; habitat reduced by global
warming
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) _ Greenland's government on Wednesday
introduced the ice-capped island's first hunting quota for polar bears,
which scientists believe are threatened by the effects of global
warming.
The figure for 2006 was set at 150 animals, Greenland's fishing and
hunting directory said. Only Greenlanders with valid hunting permits can
be granted permission to shoot a bear.
Previously, local Inuit hunters have killed about 250 bears annually in
the semi-autonomous Danish territory. The animals are shot for their
skin and meat.
The quota was introduced to protect the species' survival in Greenland
as their natural habitat comes under threat from climate change in the
Arctic. Scientists say global warming is melting the ice cap on which
the bears hunt, making it difficult for them to find food.
There are an estimated 7,500 polar bears in Greenland _ the world's
largest island _ mainly in the northern and eastern part.
The quota was divided mostly among hamlets in that region, including
Upernavik, Qaanaaq and Ittoqqortoormiit.
Southern towns including Nanortalik, Qaqortoq and Narsaq were granted
permission to kill up to two polar bears. In recent years, bears have
showed up near those locations after being stranded on ice floes
drifting south.
The quota will be revised annually, officials said. There were no
immediate plans to grant hunting permits to foreigners.
warming
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) _ Greenland's government on Wednesday
introduced the ice-capped island's first hunting quota for polar bears,
which scientists believe are threatened by the effects of global
warming.
The figure for 2006 was set at 150 animals, Greenland's fishing and
hunting directory said. Only Greenlanders with valid hunting permits can
be granted permission to shoot a bear.
Previously, local Inuit hunters have killed about 250 bears annually in
the semi-autonomous Danish territory. The animals are shot for their
skin and meat.
The quota was introduced to protect the species' survival in Greenland
as their natural habitat comes under threat from climate change in the
Arctic. Scientists say global warming is melting the ice cap on which
the bears hunt, making it difficult for them to find food.
There are an estimated 7,500 polar bears in Greenland _ the world's
largest island _ mainly in the northern and eastern part.
The quota was divided mostly among hamlets in that region, including
Upernavik, Qaanaaq and Ittoqqortoormiit.
Southern towns including Nanortalik, Qaqortoq and Narsaq were granted
permission to kill up to two polar bears. In recent years, bears have
showed up near those locations after being stranded on ice floes
drifting south.
The quota will be revised annually, officials said. There were no
immediate plans to grant hunting permits to foreigners.