Public Domain Picture: Photo of the Week - Black Bear (ME)

Photo of the Week - 1/20/2014 Bears, such as the one pictured above at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, are protected by the Lacey Act, a federal wildlife protection statute which prohibits the interstate purchase, sale and transportation of wildlife which was obtained in violation of federal, state or local law. Just last week (January 15, 2014), former Maine resident Eric Zeng was sentenced for two counts of violating the Lacey Act, following an investigation of his engagement in the illegal purchase and sale of bear and deer parts. On two occasions, Zeng bought what he was told were illegal obtained black bear gall bladders and bear paws. Zeng was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to pay a fine of $5,000, and ordered to forfeit his vehicle. “This sentence represents the gravity of such crimes committed against our wildlife, conservation and the hunting heritage,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region Special Agent in Charge Honora Gordon. “The case is another fine example of how our partnership with the Maine Warden Service and the Boston U.S. Attorney's Office is crucial in protecting black bears and other North American species from commercial exploitation.' Learn more; www.justice.gov/usao/ma/news/2014/January/ZengEricsentenc... www.fws.gov/refuge/moosehorn/ www.fws.gov/northeast www.facebook.com/usfwsnortheast

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Agent, Bear, Blackbear, Laceyact, Maine, Me, Moosehornnationalwildliferefuge, Saleofwildlife, Special, Usfwslawenforcement, Vision:outdoor=0968

April 10, 2014