Saskatchewan Woman Fined for Illegal Bear Parts Trafficking

A woman from Maidstone, Sask., named Weol Ran Lee, has been fined $12,000 and suspended from hunting for trafficking and illegally transporting black bear parts, including paws and gall bladders, often sought for traditional Asian medicine. The investigation began in March 2022 following a tip about bear gall bladder trafficking, leading to her guilty plea on Nov. 24. Additionally, a family member pleaded guilty in British Columbia for similar offenses. Authorities emphasize that wildlife trafficking harms lawful hunting and ecosystem health.

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