A student is writing an article discussing the idea that the polar bear population is on the rise. Read the draft of the article and answer the question that follows.
Polar bears may soon be coming off of the Endangered Species List. Although polar bears were once on their way to extinction, the effects of climate change seem to have been beneficial for a few species of arctic wildlife, such as polar bears. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service placed polar bears on the list of species protected by the Endangered Wildlife Act on May 15, 2008, but this action may have been a bit premature.
In 2005, the estimated number of polar bears in the wild had dropped to around 22,500. Now, estimates by wildlife researchers put the total number of polar bears in existence at over 30,000. Other species on the Endangered Species list include Galapagos turtles and horned lizards.
Although it was assumed that the disappearance of sea ice was causing a decline in the polar bear population, many researchers believe that the exposure of new land due to the disappearance of the ice has given polar bears more area to hunt and forage for food.
Which sentence is distracting and does not support the main idea of the paragraphs?
A.
Now, estimates by wildlife researchers put the total number of polar bears in existence at over 30,000.
B.
Other species on the Endangered Species list include Galapagos turtles and horned lizards.
C.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service placed polar bears on the list of species protected by the Endangered Wildlife Act on May 15, 2008, but this action may have been a bit premature.
D
.
Although polar bears were once on their way to extinction, the effects of climate change seem to have been beneficial for a few species of arctic wildlife, such as polar bears.