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WWF hopes for comprehensive polar bear protection plan

A gathering to talk about the future of one of Canada's most iconic species is underway today in Winnipeg.

 

Scientists, wildlife management boards, Inuit groups and conservationists are among at least 30 people gathered to take part in the round table, called by Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

A trio of panel presentations took place this morning at the Fairmont, but media were ushered out of the conference room before the start of a round-table discussion on the status of the polar bear.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) chair Jeff Hutchings spoke on the role of the advisory body in deciding the status of the polar bear, while Gabriel Nirlungayuk of Inuit land claims group Nunavut Tunngavik pleaded for a greater respect for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or traditional knowledge.

"We have a personal relationship with the polar bears, and we want to continue to manage these bears for our future generations," he said.

WWF-Canada director of species conservation Peter Ewins said he hoped a comprehensive polar bear protection plan would come out of the meeting. He also called for immediate attention to threats like climate change, full protection of polar bear habitat, and a boost in resources for polar bear research.

The conference is expected to run all day, with closing comments from Prentice later this afternoon.

lindsey.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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