Bear Protection Act

Last year Senator Mitch McConnell was successful in including the Bear Protection Act as an amendment to the 2002 Farm Bill.  Unfortunately, despite overwhelming support from members of the House and Senate, it was removed in the final version passed by Congress.

The Bear Protection Act will soon be reintroduced in the 108th Congress.  Please continue to check back for more details.

This bill would end the United States' involvement in the trade of bear viscera by prohibiting the import, export and interstate commerce in bear gall bladders and bile.   Bears are targeted for their parts that will fetch enormous profits for the poachers who illegally kill them and the merchants who sell their organs for use in traditional medicine remedies.

Click here to read Senator McConnell's statement of introduction and SAPL's letter of support in the Congressional Record.  You can also click here to read his Dear Colleague letter (PDF).

For more details about the trade of bear viscera, read "Throwing Caution to the Wind: The Global Bear Parts Trade"  (PDF) by Adam M. Roberts in Animal Law.

"Don't Grin and Bear It" by Adam Roberts in ESA Today: The Newsmagazine of the Endangered Species Coalition (PDF)