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
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Florida's storm-battered Gulf Coast raced against a Category 5 hurricane Monday as workers sprinted to pick up heaps of appliances and other street debris left over from Helene two weeks ago and highways were clogged with people fleeing ahead of the storm.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm. What does that mean?
Hurricane Milton quickly intensified to a Category 5 storm on Monday, reaching the most dangerous rank on what's known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in Toronto
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Disgraced Winnipeg football coach sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault
A disgraced Winnipeg high school football coach convicted of sexual assault and luring will spend 20 years behind bars.
As Hurricane Milton intensifies, is Disney World still open?
Despite Hurricane Milton evolving into a Category 5 storm, Walt Disney World Resort remains open to the public and will operate as normal. However, the park announced Monday a few closures in an abundance of caution.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
Canadian leaders, demonstrators hold events on anniversary of Oct. 7 attack
Ceremonies, events and protests are being held across Canada today to mark the anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
Senior charged after minivan set ablaze outside Vancouver City Hall
The day after a minivan was set ablaze outside Vancouver City Hall, a 78-year-old man has been criminally charged.