Polar Bears Spared from Trophy Hunters in 2008

Polar bear protection is the focus in the latest in our series on how, together, we made history for animals in 2008.

In May, with urging from The Humane Society of the United States and animal advocates across the country, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The decision was a major victory in the fight to stop the import of hundreds of sport-hunted polar bear trophies from Canada.  

"We are grateful to the federal government for recognizing that polar bears need protection, including from wealthy American trophy hunters who shoot these rare creatures for nothing more than a headhunting exercise," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS at the time.

The decision was a hallmark moment in 2008—a year when your support meant not just improving the lives of polar bears, but of millions of other animals, too.

Watch our video to take stock of all the ways you helped changed the world this year.

See how you made a difference for animals in 2008.

Related Links

Polar Bear Listed as Threatened Species; Trophy Hunting Imports Must Stop Immediately

Wildlife Protection Groups Ask Federal Court to Uphold Polar Bear Trophy Hunting Ban