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SURREY - A Vancouver man who pleaded guilty to trafficking in bear gall bladders and paws has been fined $9,000 in Surrey Provincial Court.
Walter Christiansen, 69, was also prohibited from hunting in British Columbia for five years by Judge John Lenaghan on Oct. 21.
"British Columbians will not tolerate people dealing in wildlife parts," said Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Joan Sawicki. "We will continue to protect our wildlife by enforcing provincial legislation to halt poaching."
Conservation officers from the Surrey district office and the ministry^s special investigations unit began an investigation after receiving an anonymous tip. During the 10-month investigation, an undercover officer met several times with Christiansen and was offered bear parts on four occasions. Christiansen was arrested Oct. 13, 1998, and charged under the B.C. Wildlife Act.
A second suspect was charged and is awaiting trial.
Improved regulations introduced two years ago have stepped up enforcement of illegal trading in animal parts. Not only is it illegal for an individual to possess bear gall bladders, it is now an offence for a person to possess any part or derivative of a bear gall bladder. These regulations became necessary in order to prevent hunters from killing bears to remove bile from the gall bladders.
In addition, the sale of patent medicines that claim to be made of bear gall bladder derivatives is illegal. This means that anyone selling a product that contains - or is alleged to contain - bear gall bladder bile faces criminal prosecution. The public is warned not to purchase any product listing bear gall bladder bile as an ingredient.
In May of 1999, government introduced amendments to the Wildlife Act to create three tiers of infraction and fine ranges depending upon their seriousness. Tier 1 is reserved for the most serious offences - for example, offences related to the illegal trade in live wildlife or wildlife parts. Fines for a first offence at this level were increased from a maximum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000.
Through the ministry^s ^Be Bear Aware^ program, all British Columbians are urged to combat illegal wildlife hunting activity and to curb trafficking in bear parts. Anyone with evidence of illegal activity is asked to call the ministry at 1-800-663-WILD (9453).
Uploaded: 10/30/1999
Uploaded: 10/30/1999