Polar bears face extinction as they are denied protected status

Polar bears may face extinction as officials at the Convention of Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES) summit have refused to give them the same protected status as tigers, giant pandas and gorillas.

The Express reports that as few as 20,000 polar bears now exist in the wild, but hunters in Canada still have permission to kill them and use their skin, teeth and claws as rugs, trophies or ornaments.

According to the New York Daily News, the ban notably lacked the support of Canada and Inuit representatives argued strongly against the proposal.

Terry Audla, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, told the Washington Post: "A ban would affect our ability to buy the necessities of life, to clothe our children. We have to protect our means of putting food on the table and selling polar bear hides enables us to support ourselves."

The New York Daily News reports that polar bear hides can sell for an average of $2,000 - $5,000 (£1,300 - £3,300), but some can sell for as much as $12,000 (£8,000).

A total of 38 countries voted in favour of the proposal, with 42 against it and 46 abstentions. Norway and Greenland also opposed the proposals, while UK officials were forced to abstain because the EU has not yet reached a consensus on the matter.

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