Every year, Wildlife Services, a little known federal agency within the Department of Agriculture, poisons wolves, bears, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and other predators. Wildlife Services prefers two toxins to kill predators: Compound 1080, a rat poison developed by the Nazis during World War II, and sodium cyanide distributed through M44 projectile devices – spring-loaded, baited mechanisms that release poison into the mouth of any animal who disturbs it. 1080 is a poison so lethal a single teaspoon can kill 100 people. Animals exposed to these poisons suffer painful deaths as they experience convulsions, central nervous system failure, cardiac arrest, and suffocation. Because both poisons are indiscriminate, any animal, including dogs and other domestic animals, are sometimes killed by the poisons.

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(photo of M44 device that releases sodium cyanide into mouthof any animal who disturbs it)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

http://www.bigwildlife.org/upload_PDF/c99.phpe: 11pt; font-family: \">*Urge Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, to stop the poisoning of wildlife. To contact the Secretary, use email or phone contact information below:

Email Agriculture Secretary at: AgSec@usda.gov

Phone Agriculture Secretary at: 202-720-3631

Click here for more information.

Click here for sample letter or to send an online message to Secretary Vilsack.

There is a bounty on the head of every American black bear. Across America, bear carcasses have been found with their gallbladders removed and the carcass callously left to rot. Poachers and unscrupulous profiteers are commercializing bears to make a buck, selling bear organs illicitly throughout the world and putting bear species at risk.

But there is hope. This week, US Representatives Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and John Campbell (R-CA) introduced the Bear Protection Act of 2009 to deter bear poaching and facilitate prosecution of wildlife criminals. The new bill is identical to H.R. 3029 from the 110th Congress. This and similar legislation in prior Congresses has had wide bipartisan support.

WHY THE BEAR PROTECTON ACT IS NEEDED

The United States should have a simple, uniform policy against the killing of bears for their gallbladders. Demand for bear parts has already decimated Asian bear populations including the endangered Asiatic black bear. Recent research shows that bear gallbladders and bile are being sold on both legal and illegal markets in the U.S. Gallbladders from North American bears are being obtained illegally and either marketed here or exported, while gallbladders and prepared products containing bile from endangered Asian bears are brought into the U.S. illegally and sold, primarily for use in traditional Asian medicine.

There currently exists a patchwork of state laws regulating the bear parts trade: some states allow unfettered trade in these organs, most prohibit it, and still others allow the trade if the bears were killed in another state. But once the gallbladder is removed, it is practically impossible to prove where the bear was killed. Thus, the continued trade from a small minority of states thwarts the wildlife management laws of the majority of states by facilitating a black market in bear galls. By uniformly prohibiting the trade in bear parts, the Bear Protection Act will assist state law enforcement officers in their effort to protect their resident bear populations.

NOTE: According to the bill's sponsors, "The Bear Protection Act is crafted narrowly to address the harmful trade in bear gallbladders and bile without impacting a state’s ability to make fundamental decisions regarding bear management." [emphasis added] While Big Wildlife supports the bill,  believes it is a necessary first step to cracking down on the trade in bear parts, and praises Reps. Grijalva and Campbell for introducing this vital legislation, our organization is committed to ultimately ending outright bear "management" policies that promote trophy hunting of these animals and employ aggressive government lethal control of bears. We are currently working to halt these brutal, unethical, scientifically indefensible, and unnecessary policies.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

*Urge your representative in Congress to cosponsor the Bear Protection Act of 2009.

To find your  representative's phone number, you may use Congress' searchable online directory by clicking here.

Or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your representative's office.

Click here to learn more about the trade in bear parts and other threats facing bears.

Grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, salmon, steelhead, mountain goats at risk

A massive ski resort proposal near Squamish, British Columbia would threaten the quality of life for area residents, wildlife, and the environment. The planned development, Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS), could adversely impact an array of wildlife including grizzly bear, wolverine, mountain goat, and salmon and steelhead.

Until recently, Squamish had been a relatively sleepy town. But expansion of the Sea-to-Sky Highway that connects Vancouver to Squamish has ushered in unprecedented and unplanned development. Local residents have grown increasingly concerned about how urban sprawl is affecting wildlife. A recent spike in encounters with cougars has focused attention on the connection between sprawl and the displacement and change of behavior of the big cats and other large predators. Driving these species from their territory is a recipe for disaster for Squamish and wild animals.

The GAS plan, first submitted to the BC’s Environmental Assessment Office in 1997 and recently resurrected, would cover an area roughly half the size of Squamish. The development would include two golf courses, 25 ski lifts, 98 km of new roads, hotels, and nearly 6,000 new homes, apartments, and condominiums. The proposed development encompasses land that has been identified as prime habitat for endangered or at risk species such as peregrine falcon, wolverine, and marbled murrelet. The GAS area also includes a threatened grizzly bear population unit that has been designated for recovery by the province. The project has come under especially intense fire because of its potential impacts on Brohm River, one of the most productive salmon and steelhead streams in the province. The development calls for expansive water management, including sewage and storm water discharge, irrigation for golf courses and potable water, extractions of water for snowmaking, and as many as five dams.

URGE BC OFFICIALS TO OPPOSE GARIBALDI AT SQUAMISH SKI RESORT
*Urge MLA Joan McIntyre to oppose the GAS resort. To contact MLA McIntyre:

Phone: 604 981-0045 (constituency); 250 953-4613 (office)
Email: joan.mcintyre.mla@leg.bc.ca

*Urge Minister for the Environment, the Honorable Barry Penner, to reject the  GAS resort. To contact the Minister:

Phone: 250-387-1187
Email: Barry.Penner@gov.bc.ca

TALKING POINTS TO USE WHEN CONTACTING MLA MCINTYRE AND MINISTER PENNER:
A massive ski resort proposal near Squamish would threaten the quality of life for area residents, recreation opportunities, fisheries, wildlife, and the environment. The planned development, Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS), would cover an area roughly half the size of Squamish. Nearly 50 local businesses, conservationists, and recreation interests, including snowmobilers, dirt bikers, anglers, and rock climbers, oppose the GAS project. The development would:

*Include two golf courses, 25 ski lifts, 98 km of roads, hotels, and nearly 6,000 new homes, apartments, and condominiums

*Undermine Squamish's official community plan

*Hurt small businesses by drawing consumers away from downtown

*Put Squamish residents at risk because the current plan does not account for fire protection services, hospital beds, school seats, or public transit

*Jeopardize existing recreational use and curtail current access

*Encompass land that has been identified as prime habitat for endangered or at-risk species such as peregrine falcon, wolverine, and marbled murrelet. The GAS area also includes a threatened grizzly bear population unit that has been designated for recovery by the province.

*Put public at risk by pushing bears, cougars, and other predators further into commercial and residential areas

*Adversely impact Brohm Creek, one of the most productive salmon and steelhead streams in the province. The development calls for expansive water management, including sewage and storm water discharge, irrigation for golf courses and potable water, extractions of water for snowmaking, and as many as five dams.

SAMPLE EMAIL LETTER:
Dear Public Official:

I urge you to reject the planned Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) ski resort. The development, which would include two golf courses, 25 ski lifts, 98 km of new roads, hotels, and nearly 6,000 new homes, apartments, and condominiums, would erode the quality of life for area residents and adversely impact prime habitat for endangered and at risk species, such as peregrine falcon, wolverine, and marbled murrelet. The GAS area also includes a threatened grizzly bear population unit that has been designated for recovery by the province.

In addition, the GAS proposal would degrade Brohm River, one of the most productive salmon and steelhead streams in the province. The ski development calls for extensive water management, including sewage and storm water discharge, irrigation for golf courses and potable water, extractions of water for snowmaking, and as many as five dams.

Expansion of the Sea-to-Sky Highway has ushered in unprecedented and largely unplanned development. Local residents have grown increasingly concerned about how urban sprawl is affecting wildlife. A recent spike in encounters with cougars has focused attention on the connection between sprawl and the displacement and change of behavior of the big cats and other large predators. Driving these animals from their territory is a recipe for disaster for Squamish, wildlife, and the environment.

Again, I urge you to reject the GAS ski resort plan. Thank you.

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL

TAKE TWO SIMPLE STEPS TO SAVE WOLVES, BEARS, LEOPARDS, LIONS
1) Contact eBay directly to urge the company to ban trophy hunt sales

2) Sign onto Big Wildlife letter to eBay urging the company to stop selling trophy hunts of carnivores

In February, Big Wildlife, Alaska Wildlife Alliance, and Raincoast Conservation urged eBay to halt the sale of trophy hunts of lions, leopards, bears, wolves, and other predators on its website. (Scroll down to end of alert to see trophy hunting items recently posted on eBay.) The online auction website regularly permits postings of guided hunts of carnivores throughout the world. Unfortunately, recently we received a letter from eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Tod Cohen, informing us that the company had no interest in halting its sales of trophy hunts.  (Read Los Angeles Times story, eBay Will Continue to Allow Postings of Guided Trophy Hunts.)

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP eBAY'S TROPHY HUNTS:

*Contact eBay directly and urge the company to immediately stop posting sales of trophy hunts of carnivores including lions, leopards, bears, wolves, coyotes, and other predators:

Ebay employees to contact:
Jack Christin, eBay Senior Regulatory Counsel
Phone: 408-376-5145
Cell: 408-679-3621
Email: jchristin@ebay.com

Terri Deanzo, eBay, Office of the President
Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Deanzo.")
Email: csme@ebay.com

Amy Skoczlas-Cole, eBay's Global Citizenship Group

Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Skoczlas.")
Email: askoczlascole@ebay.com

*NOTE: While Big Wildlife is opposed to all trophy hunting of wildlife, we are focused primarily on protecting top, at-risk carnivore species. We do, however, support other campaigns by animal rights groups against eBay.

SOME RECENTLY POSTED ITEMS ON eBay (Clickhighlighted text to go to eBay posting):
"Africa Dangerous Game Maile  Lion Hunt: This auction price of $12,500 is the 50% deposit required to book the hunt the remaing 50% will be due on arrival, which is $12,500. The main difference between the different Lions is the size of the mane. The more expensive Lions have bigger black manes while the ones with less pronounced manes cost less. This is all based on good genes."

"Africa Dangerous Game Leopard Hunt: Dreamin of having a leopard trophy on your wall, dream no more. We could help you with leopard hunting  in South Africa...African leopard hunting is usually done by baiting with freshly killed antelope and other prey species. African leopards may also be hunted by tracking. Some African leopards are hunted after being spotted by a hunting party on safari. Once a leopard is spotted it can be tracked and taken by the hunter. Some countries in Africa currently allow leopards to be hunted with dogs and this has become a popular and effective way of hunting them." Price: $8,500.

“Ontario Timber Wolf Hunt, Near 100 Opp on Wolf: The hunt is a real hunting adventure! Near 100% opportunity on timber wolf, we hunt over bait in a heated treestand...Choose any weapon.” Price: $699.
 
“2009 Alberta Wolf Hunt, 100% Opp, Hunt Over Bait: We’re overrun with wolves, we have trophy wolves.” Price: $1,199.00.
 
“2009 Spring Black Bear Hunt With Hounds: Price Includes 2 Bears. We hunt Black Bears with hounds, hunters have the opportunity to hunt black bears or the desirable colour phased bear in brown, blonde or cinnamon tones." Price: $3,999.00

“Alaska Spring or Summer Grizzly Bear Hunt: "Wow Fall Sale, Only $5899, That's Over $7,000 in Savings. "

“Mountain Lion Hunt: This listing is for a mountain lion hunt in the Gila Wilderness in Western New Mexico.  The Gila (pronounced heela) was the first disignated wilderness area in the United States…I spend nearly all my time hunting one species or another and the majority of that is chasing cats…As for the way I hunt cats, it is the old style with horses and hounds.  So those of you who really like to hunt with dogs and ride horses this is really a great hunting experience.  A typical day consists of eating a good hot breakfast then saddling horses and putting the tracking collars on the dogs and heading off into the woods to look for lion tracks and sign.  The hounds do most of the work, what their hunting for is the scent that the cat leaves everywhere he goes.  Once the hounds find what they are looking for then the race is on.” Price: “$1,200 for 3days or $2200 for a week  plus $295 for your licenses and tags.”

Renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” 

You, too, can help change the world for animals. Click here to learn how you can become an advocate for animals.