Proposed Bill Hopes to Protect North American Black Bears from Poaching for Asian Markets - Before It’s Too Late

Rhishja Larson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:44:39 +0000

With commercial trade prohibited for Asian bears, poachers are now turning to the North American black bear for the harvesting of their gallbladders.

In an effort to protect North American black bears, a proposed bill hopes to prevent a dramatic decline in black bear populations by banning any import, export, or interstate commerce in U.S. bear organs and fluids. The Bear Protection Act has been reintroduced by U.S. Representatives Raul M. Grijalva, Democrat from Arizona, and John Campbell, Republican from California. An earlier law in 2000 and 2001 - similar to the new act - passed the U.S. Senate, but did not pass the House.

This legislation is meant to counteract the inconsistent laws that currently make illegal trade in bear parts relatively easy by creating loopholes for would-be entrepreneurs hoping to cash in on the lucrative Chinese market for bear gallbladders and other parts.

California Cat Torturer Strikes Again, Reward Increased

Melissa Elliott — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:31:14 +0000

As animal control officers in San Jose, CA continue to investigate a case where a cat was tortured so badly that he had to be euthanized, officers now say there is “some indication there may be another cat out there with a partially lost tail.”

Green Options » PAWS

Proposed Bill Hopes to Protect North American Black Bears from Poaching for Asian Markets - Before It’s Too Late

With commercial trade prohibited for Asian bears, poachers are now turning to the North American black bear for the harvesting of their gallbladders.

California Cat Torturer Strikes Again, Reward Increased