Several black bears have been killed recently, and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents ask for your help in solving these crimes.
“The department is working very hard to remove the Louisiana black bear from the Endangered Species List, with the goal of maintaining a sustainable population that can support legal hunting, LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson said. “Illegal killing of Louisiana black bears may impede this effort and make this goal more difficult to attain.”
The killings have taken place from the coastal St. Mary and Vermillion parishes to Tensas Parish. The bears have either been shot or trapped in hog snares by poachers.
Killing a Louisiana black bear is a violation of both state law and the federal Endangered Species Act, and violators are subject to penalties of up to $50,000 and six months in jail. In addition, a civil restitution fine of $10,000 per bear may be imposed on anyone convicted of killing a black bear in Louisiana.
Anyone with information regarding these illegal bear killings or any other wildlife crime should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 800.442.2511. Cash rewards up to $5,000 are offered for information leading to the apprehension of individuals harming a black bear. Callers will also remain anonymous.
