OTTAWA, February 17, 2003 - Officials with Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources laid charges against three Richmond Hill, Ontario family members for a total of 84 offences involving the illegal possession, transport, export and trafficking in black bear gall bladders and black bear paws. Charged are the father, Choo-Sin (William) CHANG, age 61, the mother, Ok-Soon (Julie) CHANG, age 61, and their daughter, Julia CHANG.
The charges were laid on February 14 under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of Interprovincial and International Trade Act and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. More charges may be laid as the investigation continues.
On November 20, a series of search warrants was executed simultaneously in Ontario and Quebec, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of black bear gall bladders.
The charges were laid on February 14 under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of Interprovincial and International Trade Act and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. More charges may be laid as the investigation continues.
On November 20, a series of search warrants was executed simultaneously in Ontario and Quebec, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of black bear gall bladders.
The charges laid in Ontario involve 368 black bear gall bladders and two sets of black bear paws.
Environment Canada wildlife officers are working cooperatively with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and La Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) alerted Canadian officials that bear gall bladders were being sold via the Internet. An extensive investigation uncovered a large network of trade and traffic in gall bladders and other wildlife with possible links with Ontario, Quebec, the United States and Asia.
Environment Canada wildlife officers are working cooperatively with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and La Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) alerted Canadian officials that bear gall bladders were being sold via the Internet. An extensive investigation uncovered a large network of trade and traffic in gall bladders and other wildlife with possible links with Ontario, Quebec, the United States and Asia.