Bear Poaching in North America
Increase in Illegal Hunting Linked to TCM Trade in Bear Bile
Bear bile and claws bring big money to illegal hunters in California and British Columbia. Law enforcement and legal hunters join to end Chinese Medicine trade in bears.
There are eight species of bear in the world. Six of them are now threatened with extinction. And, if the trend toward increased poaching in Canada and the US continues, another may join the list. But efforts by local law enforcement officials, aided by hunters and private citizens are working to change that trend.
Black Bear Gall Bladders and Traditional Chinese Medicine
The American black bear (Ursus americanus) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos) are the only bears listed as Lower Risk by the IUCN. Surprisingly it isn’t the brown bear that is being put in danger, although the grizzly bear subspecies is still at some risk. It is the black bear in North America which has become the victim of poachers looking to turn a quick profit in the Asian medicine market.
Bear gall bladders, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, are the reason for this problem. As is the publicity around bear bile farms in China which has, unfortunately, merely shifted the problem from the farms to a lucrative trade for hunters in the US and Canada. Poachers also make money from bear claws, used in other Asian Folk Medicine and as decorative pieces.
Bear Poaching in British Columbia
In British Columbia efforts to stop the poachers are increasing. There aren’t enough enforcement officers available to cover all the wooded areas, so hunters with legal permits are being asked to help. Many are very willing to do so as they realize that unchecked poaching could result in restrictions on their legal hunting. Any information private citizens can give is also greatly appreciated.
Bear Poaching in California
In the Lake Tahoe area of California, it is estimated that at least 30 bears have been taken illegally in 2007 alone. Bears here have been forced into proximity with humans by the recent drought. This also makes them easier prey for the poachers. And hunters again are becoming part of the solution.
There are some straightforward clues when trying to separate poachers from legal hunters. Ethical hunters carry their license and generally take the whole bear. Poachers often only carry a small chest to contain the gall bladder and possibly the paws. They are also more likely to use strong smelling bear bait.
While the main focus of the Bear Education Aversion Response (BEAR) League is to prevent human-animal conflict between bears and people in the Lake Tahoe area, they also take an active role in the poaching issue, aiding local and state law enforcement staff by fielding calls and monitoring bear activity in the area. This year they are reporting an increase in abandoned carcasses, which they feel is linked to the ease with which poachers can get to bears in the area.
A concerted effort is underway to stop trafficking in bear parts. In addition to closing bile farms and cracking down on poachers, steps are being taken to educate Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners about the alternatives to using wildlife. Both of these actions will be needed to protect the bears.
Reporting Poachers
In British Columbia call 1 877 952-RAPP (7277)
In California contact the BEAR League 1 530 525 PAWS (7297)
