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75% of Bear Species at Risk

Asia's sun bear now the fifth of eight bear species endangered worldwide

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2007 7:15 PM CST

(Newser) – Southeast Asia's sun bear is now the sixth of eight bear species facing extinction worldwide, the Telegraph reports. Experts admit they know little about the bear, but blame deforestation, hunting, and fearful villagers for menacing the species. "We estimate that sun bears have declined by at least 30 per cent over the past 30 years (three bear generations)," said one specialist.

The Giant Panda was listed as most imperiled among bear species by the World Conservation Union, which is drawing up its 2007 Red List of Endangered Species. Only 1,600 of the pandas still roam free in south-central China. The European brown bear and American "Grizzly" face the least danger, but still garner most funds for conservation.

Malayan Sun Bear "'Charlotte" inspects her outdoor enclosure in the zoological garden in Cologne, Germany, on Friday, July 20, 2007. Sun bears are the latest bear species to be classified as "vulnerable"... (Associated Press)

A giant Panda eats some bamboo in a Zoo in Schonbrunn, Vienna. Of all bear species, Pandas are thought to face the greatest threat of extinction. ((c) ijansch)

Giant pandas play in a tree at the Wolong Giant Panda Protection Center in Wolong of China's Sichuan province in this Thursday, Oct. 19 2006 file photo. Giant pandas have been forced to move from a mountainous... (Associated Press)

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75% of Bear Species at Risk

Asia's sun bear now the fifth of eight bear species endangered worldwide

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'Extinction Crisis' Threatens 40% of Species

Watchdog group sees serious danger to one in four mammals

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Changing world strips diet-staple eucalyptus of nutrients

Endangered Species Listings Plummeting Under Bush

Wildlife advocates sue to save animals

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As ice caps melt, trophy hunters take aim, polar bears belong on endangered list

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75% of Bear Species at Risk

Asia's sun bear now the fifth of eight bear species endangered worldwide

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

endangered species • endangered species list • extinction • deforestation • polar bear • panda • species • sun bear • grizzly bear

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

'Extinction Crisis' Threatens 40% of Species

Watchdog group sees serious danger to one in four mammals

20% of Species Risk Extinction

Amphibians in special danger

Koalas Face Extinction by Climate, Chlamydia?

Changing world strips diet-staple eucalyptus of nutrients

Endangered Species Listings Plummeting Under Bush

Wildlife advocates sue to save animals

Bad News Plagues Bears

As ice caps melt, trophy hunters take aim, polar bears belong on endangered list

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Newser By Users

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