SASKATOON MAN AND BUSINESS FINED $25,260 FOR TRAFFICKING IN WILDLLIFE

A Saskatoon man and business have been fined $25,260 after being convicted of three charges of trafficking in bear gall bladders and their illegal export.

Two convictions were registered under the Provincial Wildlife Act for illegally purchasing bear gall bladders and one under the federal Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, after bear galls being shipped from Saskatoon to Hong Kong were seized.

While Saskatchewan's black bear population is not considered endangered, the sale and export of bear gall bladders has been prohibited in Saskatchewan since 1997. The prohibition was the result of poaching pressure on bear populations around the world.

"Many bear populations around the world are threatened or endangered and bear gall bladders from one species are indistinguishable from another," Environment Conservation Officer Doug Lucyshyn said. "Bear gall bladders are used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, so the demand for bear galls is very high and constant."

Saskatchewan Environment, the Saskatoon Police Service, Environment Canada and the Canada Border Service Agency co-operated on the investigation.

"Our wildlife regulations are designed to ensure the benefits of healthy wildlife populations for future generations," Lucyshyn said. "This successful investigation and the cooperation we received shows other enforcement agencies and the courts recognize the seriousness of these kinds of offences."

Lucyshyn encourages anyone who is aware of or suspects wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations to report them to the nearest Saskatchewan Environment officer or to call the toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561.

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For More Information, Contact:

Art Jones Environment Regina Phone: (306)787-5796 Cell: (306)536-8452

Doug Lucyshyn Environment Saskatoon Phone: (306) 933-8377