A Gravenhurst man has been fined for illegally being in possession of black bear gall bladders.
Conservation officers contacted the man near Gravenhurst and said he had what appeared to be three black bear gall bladders. It was confirmed by forensic analysis. Assisting with the case were the Intelligence and Investigations Services Unit, a veterinary pathologist with the University of Guelph, and the DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre at Trent University.
Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, it is illegal to possess a black bear gall bladder that has been removed from the bear’s carcass.
In some cultures, there is the traditional belief that black bear gall bladders have medicinal powers. They are believed to dissolve gallstones and treat liver disease, and, without medical evidence, serve 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 turned into ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine.
The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on May 30, when Hoa Phan pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing three black bear gall bladders and was fined $6,500.
— With files from BayToday.ca
