Following WSPA's groundbreaking undercover investigation of traditional Asian medicine (TAM) shops in eight major U.S. cities, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) recently re-introduced H.R. 5534, the Bear Protection Act of 2008. This important Act would protect North American bears by banning the import, export and interstate trade of bear viscera.

One of the biggest threats faced by bears in the United States today is an illegal yet thriving trade in bear parts, including bear gallbladders. Each year wild bears are killed so that their parts can be sold in Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM) shops in the United States and internationally. In their recent undercover investigation, WSPA found that the trade in intact gallbladders had actually increased since our previous investigation in 2000.

Unfortunately, state laws pertaining to the trade in bear parts are inconsistent and, in some cases, non-existent. The solution is clear: a unifying federal law is the only viable solution for bears.

U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) recently re-introduced H.R. 5534, the Bear Protection Act of 2008, to protect North American bears. The Act specifically bans the import, export and interstate trade of all bear parts and products, while closing loopholes in existing state laws.

Early findings from WSPA's investigation led California Fish & Game agents to arrest four merchants at three TAM shops in San Francisco. The individuals were charged with illegally selling bear bile, a felony offense in California. Federal legislation is needed to effectively punish this type of egregious behavior in all 50 states.

Please contact your U.S. representative today and urge him or her to co-sponsor and support H.R. 5534, the Bear Protection Act of 2008. With your help, we can protect North American bears and end this cruel and unnecessary trade for good.

Click here to take action and help pass the Bear Protection Act of 2008.

2 Comments

Melody said:

I signed it! Help the bears! It only takes a minute!

March 14, 2008 2:49 PM

James Riopelle said:

This bill will replace the present patchwork of unenforceable state laws with a solid nationwide ban on the poaching of bears for their gall bladders. People are doing this to make over-the-counter medicinal potions that are completely unnecessary. For more information, go to www.bearbilefacts.org.

James Riopelle MD

March 24, 2008 8:27 PM

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