Reward Offered in Minnesota Bear Poaching Case

September 26, 2008

The Humane Society of the United States and The HSUS Wildlife Land Trust are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for illegally killing two bears north of Duluth near Orr, Minn. earlier this week. The total reward now stands at $5,000.

The Case:

According to published media reports, two adult black bears were killed near a northern Minnesota wildlife sanctuary. The carcass of the first bear killed was found intact Sept. 20, and the second bear was found Sept. 22 with his head, hide and paws removed. The person responsible for the latter killing could be charged with wanton waste of wildlife, and Department of Natural Resources officials are still looking into other charges. They are asking for help from the public to track down the person or people responsible.

"These two bears belonged to all Minnesotans and here a poacher stepped in and stole something irreplaceable from everyone in the state," said Al Thomas, executive director of the Turn in Poachers program in Minnesota.

"This brutal case showcases the callous nature of poachers and their often flippant participation in a serious crime," said Jill Fritz, Minnesota state director for The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for strongly enforcing anti-poaching laws and the TIP program for offering the additional reward money."

Poaching:

Every year, thousands of poachers are arrested nationwide; however, it is estimated that only 1 to 5 percent of poachers are caught. Poachers kill wildlife anytime, anywhere and sometimes do so in particularly cruel manners.

The Investigators:

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Turn in Poachers hotline at (800) 652-9093.

The HSUS works to stop wildlife abuse across the country. Visit humanesociety.org/wildlifeabuse for more information.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.

Since its founding in 1993, the Wildlife Land Trust has worked with private landowners to create 99 permanent wildlife sanctuaries where recreational and commercial hunting and trapping will always be prohibited. In addition, the Wildlife Land Trust works in collaboration with a variety of partners to protect many other vulnerable lands to benefit wildlife. Proud of its affiliation with The Humane Society of the United States, the Wildlife Land Trust joins in campaigns to protect wildlife from cruel and indefensible practices such as poaching, steel-jawed leghold traps, Internet hunting and canned shoots.