Rethink That Vacation in Alaska

According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association website, "Alaska is the premier destination for adventure and ecotourists seeking a personal connection with nature, wilderness and the local people" Well here's something for anyone considering an Alaska wildlife vacation to consider.

Reuters is reporting that the State of Alaska is planning a lawsuit to overturn the US Department of the Interior's decision to place the polar bear on the endangered species list.

excerpt from:
Alaska to Sue to Block Polar Bear Listing
By Yereth Rosen

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - The state of Alaska will sue the U.S. government to stop the listing of the polar bear as a threatened species, arguing the designation will slow development in the state, Gov. Sarah Palin said on Wednesday.

Palin said the state will file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington challenging U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne's decision to grant Endangered Species Act protections to the polar bear.

The Republican governor has argued that the ice-dependent polar bear, the first mammal granted Endangered Species Act listing because of global warming, does not need additional protections.

"We believe that the listing was unwarranted and that it's unprecedented to list a currently healthy population based on uncertain climate models," said Alaska Assistant Attorney General Steven Daugherty.

In the following clip Daniel Siberg of CBS News reports on why polar bears have been placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.