Animals in danger

Every week we will focus on a new species threatened with extinction and been found illegally on sale in London, this week it is Polar bears.

Polar bears

Polar bears are the world's largest terrestrial carnivore, but their Latin name, Ursus maritimus which means "sea bear", reflects the fact that they spend much of their lives around water.

The number of polar bear populations in decline has increased from one in 2001 to five in 2006. There are only 19 polar bear populations in the world, so this decline represents more then a quarter of the species' populations.

Polar bears are threatened by habitat loss, hunting and toxic chemicals. The area covered by arctic sea ice, essential for polar bears, is melting at an unprecedented rate, and may disappear entirely by 2080. Hunting for trophies is also a major problem.

The international Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears allows for the taking of polar bears for use by local people using traditional methods and exercising traditional rights. Today, hunting of polar bears by non-native sport hunters is only legal in parts of Canada. There are only 22,000 polar bears left.