Endangered polar bears could be legally killed by drilling projects in Alaska under Trump admin prop

[mystery-ak]

 Endangered polar bears could be legally killed by drilling projects in Alaska under Trump admin proposal
By Emily Goodin
Published April 21, 2026, 4:56 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — Some polar bears and their cubs already in danger of extinction could be legally killed by private oil-drilling projects in northern Alaska, according to proposed new regulations.

The planned regs — part of of President Trump’s oil lease program and awaiting approval by the US Fish and Wildlife Service — would allow for the “incidental, unintentional take” of a small number of the majestic white bears, as well as Pacific walruses, by energy companies in a critical habitat without facing legal consequences.

“Take” is a broad legal term that includes any form of killing or harassment. While the proposed rule does not flat-out authorize the killing of the animals, it does protect the companies from legal prosecution if some bears and walruses die during the course of the work, the agency conceded as part of a review.

Polar-bear cubs also could be abandoned to the deadly elements if the drilling activities scare off their mothers, while the walruses are in danger of being trampled to death by other walruses if human activity spooks them into a stampede.

The proposal is going through the federal regulatory process ahead of an auction of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which is home to more than 300 animal species, including polar bears, caribou, wolves and moose.

more
https://nypost.com/2026/04/21/us-news/endangered-polar-bears-and-cubs-could-be-legally-killed-by-drilling-projects-in-alaska-under-proposed-new-rules/

[DefiantMassRINO]

How do the Canadians in Churchill, Manitoba, handle wayward polar bears?

[Smokin Joe]

There are plenty of hazards on a drilling location in the arctic without having to worry about being on some polar bears' menu. Humans have a right to defend themselves. Note, humans causing walrus stampedes is mentioned, but not Polar Bears doing so (more likely). Mainly, I see this as protecting some trucker from prosecution for hitting a bear at night (night  happens a lot up there) trying to see through blowing snow, unable to stop in time because a white bear in an all white environment happens to be on the road. It also allows personnel to run them off of drilling locations. It isn't like open season on polar bears or walruses has been declared. Both critters will see the rig being set up and either move away from that, or toward it if they see opportunity to feed there. This allows the latter group to be chased away. Makes sense to me.

[mountaineer]

I thought polar bears weren't at all at risk of extinction. Oh well, if it's Wednesday, it must be extinction day.

[Smokin Joe]

I thought polar bears weren't at all at risk of extinction. Oh well, if it's Wednesday, it must be extinction day.

C'mon! Who doesn't feel the tug at their heart strings when even one of these cute, fuzzy, white, vicious, seal and walrus eating, apex predators is harmed, even a little bit (like getting their feeelings hurt!)

[Wingnut]

C'mon! Who doesn't feel the tug at their heart strings when even one of these cute, fuzzy, white, vicious, seal and walrus eating, apex predators is harmed, even a little bit (like getting their feeelings hurt!)

I'm so mad It makes me want to go out and club a baby seal.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I look at it this way:  the life of an 'endangered bear' is not worth the life of an 'endangered human'.

Those bears look at humans as food, so of course humans are endangered.

The wackos will do anything to shut down oil and gas drilling and production.  This is just another excuse to do so.