In a blow to polar bears and a maddening display of capitulation to crass commercial interests, an assemblage of nations today declined to provide extra protection — i.e., Appendix I status — for polar bears. Will Travers expresses his disappointment in the vote at the Bangkok meeting of CITES, which soundly rejected a proposal to help an animal who also is greatly imperiled by the impacts of climate change. Watch Travers’ reaction and find other up-to-the minute tweets, photos, blogs and videos on our “Latest from CITES” webpage; and check out our CITES photo gallery.