Stop bill to allow bear hunting

Black bear trophy hunting and by extension, the trafficking of wildlife animal parts is, once again, up for consideration in Connecticut, and your voice can stop it.

Right now, the Connecticut Senate is voting on SB 586, which creates a loophole for this barbaric practice by expanding anyone’s ability to kill bears and other wildlife without first trying non-lethal (and more effective) alternatives. Even worse, because the hunter is permitted to retain the slaughtered bears, it encourages the trafficking of wildlife animal parts.

Black bears are vital to any ecosystem, contributing to local biodiversity by spreading seeds and creating necessary minor disturbances to the forest canopy that allows sunlight to spur the growth of plants on the forest floor. These creatures are an “umbrella species,” meaning their protection also protects the forest and its ecosystem services, including cleaner air and water for all of us.

It’s time we use science in our policy-making decisions, and science shows the most effective strategies to minimize human-bear conflicts use commonsense measures like public education, fencing, and removing attractants.

Let your state lawmakers know you care about animals, and you vote. Ask them to vote NO on SB 586, before it’s too late.

Kim Mac Leod

Norwalk