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ONTARIO: Heavy fine for couple buying black bear gall bladders

In some cultures, there is the traditional belief that black bear gall bladders have medicinal powers
black bear in wild
A black bear.

A man and a woman from McKellar, west of Sundridge, have been convicted after buying black bear gall bladders, the possession of which is illegal.

On November 5, in the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound, Justice of the Peace Cornelia Mews fined Jung He (Audley) Park of McKellar $6,000 for unlawfully buying and possessing black bear gall bladders. Bong (Bruce) Lee was convicted of unlawfully possessing a black bear gall bladder and was given a suspended sentence for his involvement.

In some cultures, there is the traditional belief that black bear gall bladders have medicinal powers. It's believed to dissolve gallstones and treat liver disease, and without medical evidence, as a cure for cancer, colds, and hangovers.

They are worth about $400, but about $4,000 in Asia. and can fetch $5,000 to $10,000 in the end-market once they are processed into a powder and are turned into ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act makes it illegal for a person to possess a black bear gall bladder that has been removed from the bear's carcass. It is also illegal to buy, sell or trade game wildlife, including black bears, except under specific circumstances.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry launched its investigation in 2018 after information suggested two people were seeking black bear gall bladders. Detectives with the Intelligence and Investigations Services assisted conservation officers in McKellar with the investigation that led to the charges and convictions.