Drop the Bears: Australia’s hidden illegal bear trade

Description

While Australia has no native bears, the sad reality is that bear parts are being illegally imported into Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand at an alarming rate.

Illegal wildlife trade includes millions of plants and animals imported for a wide range of purposes, such as traditional medicine, luxury ornaments, hunting trophies, pets and fashion.   

In a recent study, published in Pacific Conservation Biology, researchers from the University of Adelaide, the Monitor Conservation Research Society and the Wildlife Justice Commission examined the demand for bear parts or products in the two Australasian countries.