"Protection for polar bears' shrinking icy habitat is the subject of a proposed rule sent to the White House by the Interior Department.

The proposed rule, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Critical Habitat Designation for the Polar Bear" is the latest step in a long process aimed at shielding the big white bears from the effects of climate change.

Details of the proposed rule were not immediately made public, but it was filed on Monday with the White House.

The Bush administration designated polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, on the grounds that the sea ice they use as hunting platforms is literally melting under their paws."

Deborah Zabarenko reports for Reuters November 2, 2009. [2]