"The federal court has thrown this incredible animal a lifeline," said Andrew Wetzler, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Endangered Species Project. "The Endangered Species Act requires the decision to be based solely on science, and the science is absolutely unambiguous that the polar bear deserves protection."

The Bush Administration may choose to ignore this deadline, just as they have so many others. Still, the honorable Judge Wilken’s decision is a welcome victory in the fight to save the Arctic polar bear.