Guest guest Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Forwarding the message. Brian Vincent <brianNovember 11, 2008 11:22:02 AM PST brian Vincent <brian Big Wildlife Enews: Help Protect Bears Big Wildlife E-News: Issue 6, November 10, 2008 Welcome to Big Wildlife's enews, a monthly email update about our work to protect and restore carnivores throughout North America. We provide this free communication, along with periodic action alerts, to our members, supporters, and colleagues. If you do not wish to receive these updates, please let us know and we will remove you from our distribution list. Thanks. Be sure to visit our website at www.bigwildlife.org U.S. BLACK BEARS FACE SAME GROWING THREATS AS BEARS WORLDWIDE According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) all eight of the world's bear species (including the North American black bear) face increasing threats including habitat loss, trophy hunting, poaching, climate change, and an expanding international trade in bear parts. Being one of our planet's most ecologically important and extinction-prone species, every effort should be taken to reduce threats with no time to spare. BLACK BEARS IN CALIFORNIA Each year, approximately 1,500-1,700 black bears are legally killed by trophy hunters in California. Nearly 100 additional bears are killed by state agents because of perceived conflicts with the animals, even though many of those conflicts could have been avoided. California also permits hunters to pursue bears with packs of hounds. Countless other bears are killed illegally to feed the worldwide trade in bear parts. FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: WHAT YOU CAN DO *Urge the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to end its bear hunting program. To contact the CDFG: Email: Director Phone: (916) 653-7667 Fax: (916) 653-7387 Snailmail: Donald Koch, Director California Department of Fish and Game 1416 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 TALKING POINTS FOR LETTER OR PHONE CALL TO CDFG: *Trophy hunting of black bear and the methods used are unethical, wasteful, and unnecessary. The CDFG should end all hunting of bears, as well as shift lethal control programs to non-lethal, preventative measures. *Bears face a host of pressures, including habitat loss from industrial logging and urban sprawl, as well as from human-induced mortality from trophy hunting, poaching, and lethal predator control. In addition, climate change has the potential to impact natural food abundance and availability creating new challenges for the species. A growing international market in bear parts poses serious threats to bears across North America. *Aggressive " management " through trophy hunting should not drive CDFG decisions. Black bears play an important role in maintaining ecosystems. In addition, most Californians oppose trophy hunting of this keystone species. Click here for more information about black bears. SAMPLE LETTER TO CDFG: DATE Donald Koch, Director California Department of Fish and Game 1416 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Director Koch: I urge the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to end its black bear hunting program. Trophy hunting of black bears and the methods used are unethical, wasteful, cruel, and unnecessary. Californians overwhelmingly oppose trophy hunting of bears. A 1995 statewide poll conducted by Decision Research found that 69% of Californians would support a measure to ban all black bear hunting in the state. Bears in California and throughout North America face a host of pressures, including habitat loss from industrial development and urban sprawl, as well as from human-induced mortality from trophy hunting, poaching, and lethal predator control. In addition, climate change has the potential to impact natural food abundance and availability creating new challenges for the species. Illegal trade in bear parts to feed a growing international market poses serious threats to bears in California and across North America. Aggressive " management " through trophy hunting should not drive CDFG decisions. Instead, the CDFG should develop a bear protection program that: *Immediately ends trophy hunting and hounding of black bears *Recognizes the important role black bears play in maintaining ecosystems *Acknowledges the many threats facing bears *Affords broad, vigorous, and effective protections for bears *Shifts away from lethal controls of bears to a more comprehensive public education and non-lethal program aimed at preventing conflicts with bears Thank you. Sincerely, YOUR NAME ADDRESS PHONE EMAIL Please note: Brian Vincent's email address has been changed to: brian BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BIG WILDLIFE'S NEW WEBSITE AT: www.bigwildlife.org " The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men. " -- Leonardo Da Vinci " One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. " -- Aldo Leopold Enjoy life and smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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