The polar bear has officially been listed as a species of special concern.
Canada’s Minister of Environment, Peter Kent, made the announcement last week.
The listing means that a management plan for polar bears must be prepared within the next three years.
Kent notes that the plan will not result in prohibitions.
The plan will build on a National Polar Bear Conservation Strategy that was unveiled in Iqaluit last month.
Environment Canada will hold extensive consultations with provincial and territorial governments, regional wildlife management boards, aboriginal people and other stakeholders.
The department states that the vast majority of these groups already support the listing.