Black bear traffickers

ONE ONTARIO RESIDENT and four Saskatchewan residents have been convicted of the illegal possession and buying of black bear gall bladders and paws. The 2½-year joint investigation between Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment that led to the convictions started with a tip in 2017. The five individuals were found guilty of more than 18 counts of unlawful wildlife trafficking and received $67,370 in fines.