Bear Poaching in North America: Increase in Illegal Hunting Linked to TCM Trade in Bear Bile

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

The copyright of the article Bear Poaching in North America in Wildlife Conservation is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Bear Poaching in North America in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Nov 7, 2008 8:57 AM

Guest :

Poaching is aginst the law if you poach you should have your life taken like you have taken from the animals you killed

Nov 7, 2008 11:33 AM

Dawn M. Smith :

While poaching is a crime, I am not sure that killing the poachers is the best answer. In some places former poachers have become wardens, protecting the species they once hunted. That seems a better idea for both man and animal.

Nov 14, 2008 5:33 AM

Guest :

I think there should be some sort of punishment. But not death.What they did was wrong. And a poor bear died because of that. But killing is not the answer.

Mar 2, 2009 2:02 PM

Guest :

of course killing IS the answer, if the punishment for murdering an innocent animal was death, im willing to bet you would see less of it. as the type of person who would commit such a cowardly act, is by definition a coward, and would fear for their own life. the same should be done to any person who would participate in a canned hunt.

Mar 16, 2009 5:48 PM

Guest :

people who poach should be arrested.8

May 7, 2009 10:13 PM

Guest :

Poaching is against the law but many people have made an existence out of it. Much poaching is done, because it's something that people can do to sustain themselves with money.
KILLING POACHERS IS THE WRONG THING TO DO... EDUCATION, AND A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP OF WILDLIFE/ WILDLAND IS THE KEY! Poachers in many places, such as in Africa poach so they have protein, and some money... and they continue to do so, knowing that they have the chance of being killed by military patrols set up against poaching activity. If your life sucks, you will do basically anything to get what you need to live. Stop judging and try to understand these reasons! Much of African poaching goes towards miners and loggers for a protein source... and those resources are being sent to developed countries... don't point the finger and not expect any to point back at yourself.
Another thing, if locals are given a sense of ownership, and not kept away from their land, then they will take care of it better, as government land with wildlife populations will be cared for by the locals if they profit off it somehow. (tourism, trophy hunt money, etc)