Wildlife charity WWF “helping facilitate” trade in polar bear fur, reveals investigation
The NGO’s controversial stance on backing some forms of trophy hunting including the continued trade of polar bear fur has sparked surprise and outrage from supporters who say donations shouldn’t be used to fund animal exploitation.
The internationally-known World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been caught up in a controversy as an investigation reveals that its policies have been supporting the trade in polar bear fur.
A two year investigation by The Guardian found that WWF has “helped facilitate” the international commercial trade in polar bear furs, which falls under the NGO’s policy of sustainable utilisation.
This policy follows the framework that allows for a small number of animals to be hunted if it can help contribute to conserving the wider species. For example, some conservationists argue that a trophy hunter paying to kill a non-endangered animal can help fund the protection of other animals.
According to The Guardian, the only country that allows the commercial hunting of polar bears is Canada, where over 300-400 polar bear skins are exported each year. Each full pelt typically sells for around $60,000, and are used in clothing or as rugs, primarily for customers in China.
In the investigation, WWF is said to have “lobbied consistently” from a position that allows the commercial Canadian polar bear fur trade to continue. Where other groups may seize on the opportunity to advocate for an end to trophy hunting, The Guardian’s report documents various instances of WWF lobbying against the granting of full protection to polar bears at conservation meetings. This includes at the 2010 and 2013 CITES meetings when the US and Russia were working together to ban the international commercial trade of polar bear skins.
The view that a global ban on polar bear furs should not be implemented is still maintained by WWF, which argues that the population data for polar bears does not warrant such a ban where a set amount of licensed polar bear hunts can be done so ‘sustainably’.
The investigation’s findings could come as a surprise to WWF’s supporters, as teh charity has been consistently using images of polar bears to raise money.
At the time of publication, WWF’s website currently offers an option to “adopt” a polar bear as part of fundraising efforts. Supporters are able to purchase a $100 adoption kit which includes a polar bear plush toy, a formal adoption certificate, and a photocard of a polar bear.
Chris Packham, a well-known conservationist in the UK, was among those calling out the awkwardness of WWF promoting polar bears in their fundraising efforts while simultaneously lobbying in support for the polar bear fur trade.
“...WWF are lobbying for the continued international trade of polar bear fur, all while using imagery of these beautiful animals for their fundraising. Despicable,” Packham said in a post on X.
Hunting and conservation
The controversy raises the contentious topic of how conservation and wildlife charities choose to deal with hunting and trophy hunting.
WWF has long openly maintained a position that supports hunting in some particular cases. Its exact policy explains that:
“WWF is not opposed to hunting programs that present no threat to the survival of threatened species and, where such species are involved, are part of a demonstrated conservation and management strategy that is scientifically based, properly managed, and strictly enforced, with revenues and benefits going back into conservation and local communities.”
The NGO goes further to highlight some examples where so-called “responsible hunting” has helped drive conservation gains in localized cases.
This position has resulted in WWF also lobbying against granting full protection under CITES to animals including elephants, hippos, giraffes, and rhinos.
The Guardian’s investigation points out a particular case at a 2022 CITES meeting where WWF is said to have successfully lobbied for Namibia’s white rhino population to have its full protection downgraded from appendix I to the less restrictive appendix II.
According to the article, the majority of wildlife protection organizations “do not support WWF’s position,” with a coalition of around 80 NGOs opposing WWF’s recommendations at the last four CITES meetings.
In a statement issued to the media, WWF said it “does not lobby for or work to support or promote the polar bear fur trade.” The NGO goes on to describe hunting as a “complex issue”, and “as such”, WWF “don’t oppose it in all cases”. “This is not the same as supporting, lobbying, facilitating or promoting the trade in polar bear furs,” WWF says.
Experts estimate that there are around 26,000 polar bears left in the wild. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Redlist, with its main threat the loss of sea-ice habitat due to climate warming.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
