What are the criteria for listing a species as threatened or endangered under the ESA?
The Service’s current proposal is to list the polar bear as “Threatened” throughout its range. As we evaluate public comments and any new information, we will consider all possible actions. By definition in the ESA, an “Endangered” species is likely to go extinct within all or a significant portion of its range, while a “Threatened” species is likely to become Endangered in the foreseeable future. Under threatened status the species is protected and managed for recovery, but FWS may also adopt special rules tailored to the conservation needs of the species.
