Putting a bet on the survival of endangered species with a reputable bookmaker? The idea seems insane and it could even sound like a bad joke but Paddy Power, Ireland’s largest bookmaker, is taking this unusual step and offering odds on polar bears.

The reputable company is now taking bets of the estimated global polar bear population on December 31, 2011. The current WWF figures estimate the polar bear population between 20,000 and 25,000 however Paddy Power’s is putting the money on a sharp decline of the their population over the next two years. The bookmaker is offering odds of 13/8 that the number will be between 15,000 and 20,000 at the end of the year.

Here is the actual odds table:
20/1 – under 10,000
8/1 – 10,000 – 15,000
13/8 – 15,000 – 20,000
7/4 – 20,000 – 25,000
9/4 – 25,000 – 30,000
4/1 – Over 30,000

Recently, a polar bear stunned researchers by swimming 400 miles across the arctic waters in search of ice. The difficult search for sea ice, because of global warming, is putting the species at risk. This dependency on sea ice makes the polar bears one of the most at-risk species. Researchers are extremely worried about the survival of the polar bears in years to come and they certainly don’t want punters to think that it’s funny or that it’s a great way to cash in. They’d much rather see donations towards the protection of polar bears. We’re all losing out when species are endangered. Will the expert cash in on their expert knowledge and place a bet with the Irish bookmaker? Punters seem to share this view as we are yet to take a single bet on the polar bear population increasing.

Experts in other species don’t need to feel jealous about their Nordic colleagues. There is a wide variety of bets on offer with Paddy Power betting including the possibility to put your money on the number of critically endangered species that will appear on the next threatened species official UN report.

And if you are really optimistic about the future of the planet, you can always place a bet on CO2 emissions. The Dublin based company currently offers 7 to 4 that total world output of CO2 will be over 34 billion tons (based on UN figures). And while you’re logged onto the site if you bet online, you can place a bet on who will have the most annual emissions — the USA or EU.

The gambling company has already built a solid reputation in Europe for taking bets on controversial subjects. As Prince William and Kate Middleton prepare to tie the knot on April 29th in London, the bookmaker is already taking bet on the colour of the Queen’s hat, the name of the first child, and to make sure that controversy is not left out, they are also taking bet on the couple’s divorce date.