Saving Kamchatka Bears From Poachers

How sad and despairing I felt as I read your Nov. 8 article on the cruel destruction of the salmon and bear population in the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia. It seems that only an international effort can save this region from the scourge of poaching and illegal hunting. I thank you for bringing to light a problem that can be solved if enough people become aware of it, angry about it and take action toward a solution.

Ultimately, the end of such poaching will only come about when the need for bear gallbladders is no longer there; when people come to their senses and stop buying the products made from these animals’ body parts. But how many generations must pass away before the consciousness about that is achieved, not to mention the consciousness about the obscenity of shooting bears from helicopters?

Mary Clumeck

Santa Ana