Russia Bans Polar Bear Hunting

Following a campaign from The Polar Bear program, Russia has banned all hunting of polar bears for the year. Although Russia and the United States agreed on a quota of 29 animals per country, Russia has waived this number. The Polar Bear program’s website states that, “As a result of measures taken by the Russian Federation, at least 70 bears fewer will be hunted in the United States every year.” The US will continue to allow the hunting of polar bears, “for subsistence purposes,” according to the bilateral agreement made between both countries. Currently, the estimated polar bear population around the Bering Strait is 2,000 animals.