House Measure to Protect Bears

Re “Bill Would Prohibit Sale of Bear Parts,” Feb. 13.

The Humane Society of the United States commends Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) for his leadership in introducing legislation to protect American black bears from poaching for commercial sale of their parts. The Bear Protection Act, HR 397, would ban the import, export and interstate commerce of bear gallbladders, bile and other viscera, which are used in traditional Asian medicine.

The Bear Protection Act is urgently needed to protect bears from poachers who are increasingly turning to the world’s last remaining healthy bear population--those found throughout much of California and in 40 other states--to supply a large appetite for bear parts. Bears in the U.S. are easy prey for poachers because of a patchwork of state and federal laws that makes protecting them difficult. It is estimated that as many as 40,000 bears are poached every year in North America, mainly for their parts.

Gallegly has a record of helping to enact animal protection laws, working to promote the adoption of military service dogs and creating a new law to stop the sale of videos that depict animal cruelty. With his considerable abilities and tenacity, we are confident that the Bear Protection Act will become law in the 107th Congress.

WAYNE PACELLE

Senior Vice President

Humane Society

of the United States