Bear Poaching - it's everyone's problem

Although the black bear has yet to be added to the endangered species list here in Canada, its inclusion to this sorry document may be approaching much sooner than many realize. Scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about international trade in bears and bear parts in Asia, which are further endangering several species in China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, the island of Taiwan and Hainan.

As a result of the huge demand for bear gallbladders and paws, the few remaining wild bears in these areas are in jeopardy. Many of the Asian bear populations are currently in serious trouble, existing only in isolated populations. Because of the depleted bear populations in Asia, they are harder to come by. Therefore suppliers have been forced to branch out and look for new and plentiful stocks. And here is where Canada's black bear enters the scene.

Currently the American black bear (Ursus Americanus) is under no serious widespread threat in Canada, although the international trade in bear parts such as gallbladders and claws could change this situation very quickly. In some areas of Canada it is already becoming a concern.

A few years back several young bear cubs were orphaned near Six Mile Lake, Ontario after their mothers were shot at their den sites out of season by poachers.  Further investigation by the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) revealed an organized poaching ring that extended from Toronto to north of Parry Sound, Ontario.

Here in Ontario the total size of the illegal kill is thought to be as high as one-third that of the legal harvest.  The problem of illegal killing or poaching has to be looked at in depth to be fully understood since it is a complex problem. But regardless of how complex the problem is, the end result is the same: black bear, and to a lesser extent grizzly and Polar Bear populations, are being negatively affected by poaching.

The demand for bear parts in the U.S. is staggering. In only one of a dozen cases, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agents broke up a ring of poachers that had slaughtered over 1000 black bears during a three year period.

Most of these bears had only their gallbladders, paws and teeth removed.

Here in Canada the total size of the estimated illegal kill, despite being difficult to quantify, is thought to be as high as one-third of the legal harvest of bears. This, in itself, presents a logistical problem of considerable magnitude since how can any wildlife agency in Canada or the United States effectively manage the overall bear population when such an important source of bear mortality is unknown.

This alone may be what drives the final nail into the coffin for bear species in North America.  There are approximately 250,000 black bears in Canada, with 22,000 killed legally (half of that number in Ontario) each year, and with illegal poaching for bear parts added, it creates a dangerous situation.

Some people in the wildlife field believe that the number being poached is equal to the number being legally taken. According to research conducted by two biologists, (Bunnel and Tait in a report published in 1985), in 37 of 39 North American bear populations they analyzed, human-induced mortality was the major cause of death among adult bears. 

In reality, if enough black bears are killed illegally, there will be no choice but to either totally close or drastically reduce the bear hunting season, possibly for many years, considering that black bears are a very slow reproducing species, with females reproducing at intervals of sometimes five years or more between pregnancies. Consequently if the bear population is disrupted enough, it will take many years for its numbers to replace themselves. This means that the law abiding hunter will be punished for the unscrupulous acts of the poacher.

There already exists a considerable amount of public/professional/scientific pressure being directed at either limiting or totally discontinuing,( for valid reasons) certain types of hunting altogether for a number of reasons, and poachers and illegal hunting certainly don't help matters.

A survey done by Statistics Canada a few years ago clearly indicates that although people enjoy the outdoors, most prefer canoeing, hiking and wildlife viewing rather than hunting. In fact it showed a definite decline in hunting popularity.  Those surveyed were willing to recognize that the hides and meat of some animals including large carnivores such as bears are important to indigenous peoples for subsistence purposes. The ethical case for killing these particular animals by the rest of the population for sport or trophy hunting however was and is becoming increasingly difficult to make. It appears that the majority of the public views this type of hunting as a carry-over of outdated attitudes cleverly disguised as "tradition", or that it is simply done "for the fun of it", or out of a desire to conquer even the most powerful animals in nature.

But again, no matter what the reason, hunters are fighting an uphill public relations battle and poachers should be considered their number one enemy.

It is no secret that for some years now Conservation Officers across Canada have noted a definite increase in the number of bear carcasses found with the gallbladders, paws, male genitals, and heads removed. The number one reason for this is the incredible demand for these black bear and other bear species parts in Asia, where such parts are highly prized as food as well as aphrodisiacs, medicines and trophies. This unfortunately has made it lucrative for poachers who can make up to $150 for a dry gallbladder or $50 for one bear claw.

Beyond that, equally unfortunate is the fact that there are 444 wild animal parts listed in the master Chinese medicine book which means that tremendous pressure is being placed not only on bears but on other animals as well. Because of these ancient traditions many animals are dying unnecessarily simply to satisfy a human belief that they can cure a wide range of ailments such as hemorrhoids, puffy eyes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stomach cramps, and skin abrasions.

The genitals of the male Black Bear are believed by Asian men to improve their sexual drive and potency. The genitals are apparently dried and then ground-up into powder and mixed in tea. In Korea bear paws are used to make soup which is considered a delicacy, and can cost as much as $250 Canadian per bowl.

The saddest aspect of the entire bear parts poaching trade is that western scientists have been UNABLE TO FIND ANY active ingredients in the bear parts that defends the position that they are actual cure-alls, or for that matter increase sexual drive in any way.

At one time it was only the odd poacher selling parts. Now however, poaching is a big and lucrative business with profits closely matching that of the drug trade. In the U.S. figures show the black market in animal parts to be at 200 million dollars and rising.

A number of these thugs belong to sophisticated poaching rings that use night vision equipment, float plane and high-tech radio equipment to locate animals and avoid detection. Their weapons are advanced and high powered, and in many cases where there might easily be thousands or millions of dollars at stake, they're not afraid to use them. Wildlife law enforcement officers in the United States have come to know this especially well and therefore automatically draw their guns first and ask questions later when moving in to arrest these criminals.

Here in Canada the situation is not as bad... yet, but the feeling amongst many in the wildlife field is that storm clouds are on the horizon.  Bear parts can be found in many Asian pharmacies in Toronto and Vancouver, (the two main pooling points for animal parts in this country). As mentioned earlier, official statistics on just how severe the bear poaching problem is, are sketchy, but according to figures compiled by World Wildlife Fund Canada, Japan imported 4kg of black bear gallbladders from Canada in 1989, valued at 4.5 million yen.

Those levels increased to 6kg in 1990, worth 8.8 million yen.

The illegal trade is difficult to control because dried gallbladders are easily concealed in hand luggage carried onto airplanes and light enough to ship through the mail. It is rumoured that two suitcases full of dried gallbladders were found in the wreckage of the Air India crash which occurred back in 1991. The contents were valued at over 2 million dollars.

There is no doubt that poaching in general is an ongoing problem. However, it is particularly serious where black bears are concerned because they are so prolific when compared with grizzly and polar bear populations. Put simply: the black bear makes an easier target. Clearly many more conservation officers are needed to patrol the hinterlands of Ontario as well as the rest of Canada. Without a strong enforcement presence poachers will continue to thumb their nose at the law and continue to whittle-away at, and wantonly destroy this country's cherished wildlife populations.

Through public pressure, increased enforcement and Government willingness to clean up Federal and Provincial legislation governing the sale of animal parts, the possibility exists that this crime against our wildlife will be effectively curtailed. Law abiding anglers and hunters, as well as bird watchers, hikers and anyone else who loves nature, has a responsibility to speak out and voice their disgust and anger at this most ecologically damaging trade.

Bill Leeming is a professional naturalist and environmental columnist. From an early age he was fascinated with the natural world and began to study it closely. This fascination stayed with him as he progressed through college.  While majoring in business he studied microbiology at night school. He has travelled Northern Ontario extensively as well as other select parts of the globe, exploring these regions on foot and by aircraft. He has spoken on behalf of our country's wildlife on various radio and television stations and in front of audiences with other leaders in the environmental field.  Mr. Leeming is proud to have been involved with a television special examining and exposing the poaching trade. He continues to actively write and speak on wildlife and environmental issues.