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In a gut-wrenching new report, Humane World for Animals has revealed that over 1.2 million bears have been legally killed for trophies throughout North America within the final 25 years. Greater than 1 million of these bears have been killed in the US alone between 2000 and 2024. Much more horrifying is the unknown variety of cubs left to die after their moms have been gunned down by trophy hunters.Wisconsin leads this blood-soaked tally with a staggering 92,112 bears killed, adopted by Pennsylvania with 83,914, and Maine with 81,489. These aren’t simply statistics. These live, respiratory animals, complete generations of bears worn out for sport and ego.“The info exhibits that trophy hunters have senselessly worn out greater than 1 million black bears in simply 25 years,” mentioned Wendy Keefover, senior principal for wildlife safety at Humane World for Animals. “State officers usually attempt to justify this cruelty as a public security measure. However the information signifies that whereas bear searching has elevated nationwide, the already unusual prevalence of bear assaults has not declined. In different phrases, killing extra bears is doing nothing to make folks safer. As an alternative of addressing the basis causes of human-bear battle—similar to hen feeders, hen coops, trash and different meals attractants—states proceed to increase black bear searching and perpetuate a large and pointless slaughter.”The brutality doesn’t cease with the numbers. Hunters are killing bears at their most susceptible, in the course of the spring, once they’re weak from hibernation and moms are caring for new child cubs. Others use piles of junk meals to bait unsuspecting bears into kill zones. Some unleash packs of canines in a merciless apply referred to as “hounding,” chasing bears, and typically mauling non-target animals, till they collapse from exhaustion or are cornered and shot. Bowhunting usually leads to gradual, agonizing deaths, with many bears left to undergo after being wounded. In Alaska and Maine, bear trapping, arguably probably the most barbaric methodology of all, remains to be authorized.Sadly, whilst fewer People take up searching, the trophy searching of bears is on the rise. In 2000, 34,000 bears have been killed. In 2023, that quantity surged to 51,000, the deadliest yr for bears in trendy historical past. This surge comes regardless of overwhelming public opposition: 76% of American voters oppose black bear trophy searching, with related majorities in states like Florida, Alaska, and California.But the killing continues, not simply inside our borders. U.S. hunters are touring to Canada to slaughter much more black bears for so-called “trophies.” In truth, black bears are actually the highest mammal imported as “trophies” into the U.S., with 6,000 bears arriving every year, over 13 instances greater than some other species. From 1999 to 2023, 175,438 bear physique elements have been traded internationally.This isn’t conservation. This isn’t administration. That is systematic extermination beneath the false guise of sport.We should ask ourselves: How for much longer will we permit this cruelty to proceed? Our bears are majestic, clever, family-oriented animals. They’re being massacred whereas the general public stands in opposition and lawmakers do nothing. If we don’t act now, we threat dropping not simply our wildlife, however our humanity.Methods You Can AssistVote for wildlife-friendly insurance policies – Help candidates and legal guidelines that oppose trophy searching.2. Signal petitions – Add your voice to campaigns towards bear searching and merciless searching practices.3. Contact lawmakers – Electronic mail or name your state representatives and ask them to ban bear baiting, hounding, and trapping.4. Help wildlife organizations – Donate or volunteer with teams preventing to guard bears.5. Say no to trophies – By no means purchase or help merchandise created from bear elements.6. Educate others – Unfold consciousness. Educate buddies, household, and children concerning the significance of defending bears within the wild.
In a gut-wrenching new report, Humane World for Animals has revealed that over 1.2 million bears have been legally killed for trophies throughout North America within the final 25 years. Greater than 1 million of these bears have been killed in the US alone between 2000 and 2024. Much more horrifying is the unknown variety of cubs left to die after their moms have been gunned down by trophy hunters.
Wisconsin leads this blood-soaked tally with a staggering 92,112 bears killed, adopted by Pennsylvania with 83,914, and Maine with 81,489. These aren’t simply statistics. These live, respiratory animals, complete generations of bears worn out for sport and ego.
“The info exhibits that trophy hunters have senselessly worn out greater than 1 million black bears in simply 25 years,” mentioned Wendy Keefover, senior principal for wildlife safety at Humane World for Animals. “State officers usually attempt to justify this cruelty as a public security measure. However the information signifies that whereas bear searching has elevated nationwide, the already unusual prevalence of bear assaults has not declined. In different phrases, killing extra bears is doing nothing to make folks safer. As an alternative of addressing the basis causes of human-bear battle—similar to hen feeders, hen coops, trash and different meals attractants—states proceed to increase black bear searching and perpetuate a large and pointless slaughter.”
The brutality doesn’t cease with the numbers. Hunters are killing bears at their most susceptible, in the course of the spring, once they’re weak from hibernation and moms are caring for new child cubs. Others use piles of junk meals to bait unsuspecting bears into kill zones. Some unleash packs of canines in a merciless apply referred to as “hounding,” chasing bears, and typically mauling non-target animals, till they collapse from exhaustion or are cornered and shot. Bowhunting usually leads to gradual, agonizing deaths, with many bears left to undergo after being wounded. In Alaska and Maine, bear trapping, arguably probably the most barbaric methodology of all, remains to be authorized.
Sadly, whilst fewer People take up searching, the trophy searching of bears is on the rise. In 2000, 34,000 bears have been killed. In 2023, that quantity surged to 51,000, the deadliest yr for bears in trendy historical past. This surge comes regardless of overwhelming public opposition: 76% of American voters oppose black bear trophy searching, with related majorities in states like Florida, Alaska, and California.
But the killing continues, not simply inside our borders. U.S. hunters are touring to Canada to slaughter much more black bears for so-called “trophies.” In truth, black bears are actually the highest mammal imported as “trophies” into the U.S., with 6,000 bears arriving every year, over 13 instances greater than some other species. From 1999 to 2023, 175,438 bear physique elements have been traded internationally.
This isn’t conservation. This isn’t administration. That is systematic extermination beneath the false guise of sport.
We should ask ourselves: How for much longer will we permit this cruelty to proceed? Our bears are majestic, clever, family-oriented animals. They’re being massacred whereas the general public stands in opposition and lawmakers do nothing. If we don’t act now, we threat dropping not simply our wildlife, however our humanity.
Methods You Can Assist
Vote for wildlife-friendly insurance policies – Help candidates and legal guidelines that oppose trophy searching.
2. Signal petitions – Add your voice to campaigns towards bear searching and merciless searching practices.
3. Contact lawmakers – Electronic mail or name your state representatives and ask them to ban bear baiting, hounding, and trapping.
4. Help wildlife organizations – Donate or volunteer with teams preventing to guard bears.
5. Say no to trophies – By no means purchase or help merchandise created from bear elements.
6. Educate others – Unfold consciousness. Educate buddies, household, and children concerning the significance of defending bears within the wild.
