The illegal killing of bears in California

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 22

The illegal killing of bears in California

By

JOHN HUTCHISON

in San Francisco

Bears, which still roam large forested areas of North America from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico, and from coast to coast, are being illegally slaughtered in large numbers, it <is reported in San Francisco.

The California Department of Fish and Game says ’ that perhaps a thousand bears may have been killed by lawless hunters who sell parts of the animals which bring high prices on a black market. It has warned other states of the illegal traffic, much of it through dealers in Los Angeles. The principal trade is said to be conducted with Asians who prize the gall bladders for medicine, the front paws as gourmet food, and the claws for jewellery. A bear gall bladder is reported to be worth $3OOO. Although bears — mainly the so-called black bears —’ are widely distributed across the continent, it is apparently California which has taken the principal notice of bear poaching. Fish and Game Depart-

ment investigators have been tracing sales of bear parts and have uncovered evidence that in the state’s northern counties, dogs are being used to hunt bears and hunters are killing bears regardless of age or sex. During October and November, a properly licensed hunter may kill one bear in California. The. department estimates, however, that illegal kills outnumber those which are legitimate and that the bear population is seriously endangered. Tougher penalties for poaching, and a ban on hunting with dog

packs are being considered.. In pioneer days, bears were common in California and then included the fearsome grizzly, bearing the impressive Latin name of Ursus Horribilis. California is called the Bear State, the animal is depicted on the state flag, and sports teams at the University of California at Berkeley are called the Bears. Campers in the state’s spectacular Yosemite National Park have difficulty protecting their foodstuffs from marauding bears which raid the grounds at night.