Muskoka man fined heavily for possessing illegal bear parts
Conservation officers are urging hunters to follow the rules after a Muskoka man was fined for illegally possessing bear parts.
A Gravenhurst resident has been fined $6,500 for illegally possessing black bear gallbladders.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), officers were investigating a complaint against the man at the time when the gallbladders were found.
"While they were speaking to the individual, they observed a bear gallbladder that had been removed from a bear," said Daryl Kowalsky, area enforcement manager with the MNR.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Possessing bear gallbladders violates the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which prohibits owning certain parts of black bears once removed from the carcass.
Kowalsky said those who typically are found to have these parts aren't typical law-abiding hunters.
"Bear gallbladder is a very common ingredient in certain traditional medicines," Kowalsky added. "Popularity of that ingredient has driven gallbladders in the black market."
The gallbladders were eventually forensically confirmed to be from black bears.
The Gravenhurst man pled guilty to being in possession of each.
The case was heard in Bracebridge on May 30.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberals announce new campaign director amid new push to oust Trudeau
The Liberal Party has named Andrew Bevan as its new national campaign director for the next federal election. The announcement comes as party continues to face lagging polls and as party leader Justin Trudeau is facing new pressure to step aside.
He told his mother there was 'no way' he'd meet someone in Australia. Then he fell in love at first sight
Mike Grossman was adamant he wasn’t going to fall for anyone in Australia.
5 things not to say to a grieving friend
It’s almost impossible to know what to say to someone in the throes of grief. We all want to say something comforting. Very few of us know what that is.
'Our story is incomplete:' Famed dino hunter reflects on the history of paleontology
Canada’s famed dinosaur hunter and one of the inspirations for the "Jurassic Park" phenomenon turned 75 earlier this year and has no plans to drop his chisel and rock hammer.
'Headspin hole': Man develops scalp tumor after decades of breakdancing
Researchers in Denmark have published a case report revealing an unexpected consequence of one of breakdancing's most iconic moves: the headspin.
First standardized housing designs coming in December, but won't be permit-ready until 'early 2025'
The first iteration of the federal government's standardized pre-approved design catalogue – a revival of a wartime housing effort – will be unveiled in December, CTV News has learned.
Prime minister faces mounting pressure to step aside from inside caucus
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will face mounting pressure from his caucus this week to step down from the leadership of the Liberal party.
‘Deeply troubling’: Jewish girls’ school in North York hit by gunfire for the second time
Toronto police are investigating after a Jewish girls' school in North York was hit by gunfire for the second time this year.
AI is here to stay — including in health care. Here's what to ask your doctor
As artificial intelligence continues to develop in seemingly all facets of life — including health care — experts say it's important for patients to know AI may be used in their care.