Our Work on Polar Bears

We do not work to support, promote or facilitate the fur trade.

In fact, we support very strict limits and regulations on the trade in polar bear products.

Supporting a trade ban when experts say the agreed criteria are not met would undermine existing international agreements (which are vital for preventing the damaging trade in many species) and would infringe on the rights of the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic - without delivering any conservation benefit to polar bears.

The most recent analysis of the trade in polar bear products found that it was at a very low level and, whilst uncomfortable for many of us who would not wish to purchase any such product, it is not a threat to the conservation of polar bears.

That is why WWF, along with IUCN and TRAFFIC and CITES scientific experts, supported the listing of polar bears under CITES Appendix II which tightly regulates the trade of polar bear products but does not ban it entirely.

We have no role in regulating or setting the rules and regulations around hunting of species – that is the responsibility of relevant national, regional or local bodies.

We are always concerned about the sustainability of any hunting of wild species and we do not support the hunting of an animal solely as a trophy. 

In some limited circumstances, for example where Indigenous Arctic people live in areas of the US, Canada and Greenland, hunting is permitted if tightly regulated and it does not pose a risk to species survival.

Respect for traditional cultural practices that have been carried out sustainably for many generations is important to ensure both people and nature can thrive. 

As well as focusing our efforts on fighting the biggest threats to species – climate change and habitat loss, we continue to examine and monitor whether hunting is sustainable and we keep our position under review, informed by the latest available science.

If the science changes, we would adjust our position accordingly.

We know unsustainable and illegal hunting are driving some species to the brink of extinction and we fight to protect them and their habitats.

Where hunting or trade is unsustainable, WWF has campaigned for it to be banned or curtailed – including for species such as leopards, African grey parrots, pangolins, or the commercial trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn.

The article mischaracterises our position. 

We do not lobby for or work to support or promote the polar bear fur trade and in fact support strict limits and regulations on the trade in polar bear products. 

We oppose all hunting that puts the survival of a species at risk. 

Unsustainable hunting and illegal hunting is pushing some species to the brink of extinction, but this is not the case for polar bears, who face threats from climate change, shrinking habitats and increasing industrial activities. 

We are actively supporting polar bear conservation – monitoring their numbers closely, protecting their habitat and working to tackle the number one threat to polar bear populations - climate change. 

We will continue to examine and monitor whether any hunting is sustainable, and to promote sustainability where it is not, by constructively working with local governments, management bodies and Indigenous Peoples. 

The global convention that governs the international trade of species and their protection is called CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). It is an international agreement between governments, set up so the international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.

We will continue to examine and monitor whether any hunting is sustainable, and to promote sustainability where it is not, by constructively working with local governments, management bodies and Indigenous peoples.