US decision on polar bears delayed

The US delayed a decision on whether global warming threatens polar bears, Reuters reported on Tuesday, saying new data and public comment required more time. Environmentalists vowed to sue for quicker action.
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Polar bears depend on sea ice as a platform for hunting seals. Without it, they could be forced onto land, where they are inefficient hunters. This is the first time global warming has been a factor in proposing threatened status for any US species.

The deadline for deciding whether to list the bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act is Wednesday.

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