"BANGKOK, Thailand -- Governments have refused to ban trade in polar bear pelts, paws and teeth from Canada, amid what one observer called “controversial and frosty scenes” at the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Bangkok [Thursday]."
"A proposal from the United States to ban the trade in polar bears from Canada was rejected by delegates in an open vote to the despair of many animal welfare organizations who lobbied hard in favor of the proposed uplisting of polar bears for their protection.
polar bear pelt
Canada opposed the ban, claiming that the main impact on polar bears is climate change, leading to a reduction in Arctic sea ice."
Environment News Service had the story March 7, 2013.
SEE ALSO:
"Canada Inuit, Conservationists Oppose Polar Bear Trade Crackdown" (Reuters)
"Bid To Halt Polar Bear Trade Fails" (Guardian)