The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has been overwhelmed by the response to the federal proposal to list the polar bear as an endangered species. Last Monday marked the end of a 90-day public comment period on the issue, and more than 500,000 Americans chimed in—almost double the number of responses on any previous species listing proposal. The vast majority of comments were in favor of affording protection to America's beleaguered northern white bear.