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Free The Spirit Bear Petition
posted on November 1, 2012
UPDATE NOVEMBER 18TH
November 18, 2012
News Release
Re: Lifeforce Starts Petition to Free the Spirit Bear
Lifeforce, a Vancouver based non-profit ecology/animal rights organization, has started a petition to free the imprisoned Spirit Bear called “Clover”. This petition targets Minister Steve Thomson who has the decision-making responsibility. In only 3 days there have been nearly 500 signatures. Bear freedom signors range throughout North America and the world. All potential tourists who may well choose to not visit Kamloops.
The petition states that there are possibly as few as 400 of the rare Kermode or spirit bears. They are a subspecies of the black bear (Ursus americanus). It is recognized that when a population numbers less than 1000 they are in threat of extinction. Governments must act now to provide “Species at Risk Status”.
Lifeforce has been advised by bear experts that this bear is in good physical condition for hibernation and release. Organizations include the Valhalla Wilderness Society and Pacific Wild that support a release. The Liberals are only telling half the story - the bear can be safely returned to the wild. They do not see the long term benefits of rehabilitation and release. Wildlife rescue donations must not be spent on capturing bears for zoos. Ecology/Animal Rights organizations are accepting pledges to help pay for the release of this Spirit Bear.
Over the years Lifeforce has seen that the government would rather shoot bears or give them to zoos. Then the bears can be sold to other zoos worldwide. Fortunately there has been an increase in rehab and release but still there is opposition. In addition to Terry Lake possibly getting government monies for his riding; this zoo plan may well be an attempt to fault rehab and release organizations.
Zoo management claimed that the Spirit Bear capture was like” winning the lottery”. Shame on Kamloops zoo fanatics for trying to make a fortune off this endangered bear. And didn’t Environment Minister Terry Lake, whose riding is in Kamloops, previously worked at zoo. Conflict of interest?
The days of wildlife being exploited as unwilling “ambassadors” are hopefully nearing an end. Clover would not be a true ambassador since human ambassadors, unlike wildlife, give their consent. His escape for freedom actually proved no consent.
Zoos are relics of the past. These barbaric menageries were haphazard exotic collections for amusement. Animal were torn from their families and homes. Many populations were devastated. Zoos provided little, if any, true education and failed to conserve wildlife populations. Modern technology, such as video cams, 3D films, eco tours, etc., can show the complex social structures and any conservation threats. An armchair wildlife watcher can experience nature’s moments, such as an eagle raising young and African wildlife at a water hole, all for free.
“The international outrage against imprisoning a Spirit Bear in a Kamloops zoo jail may well kill their tourism treasure hunt,” stated Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Director, “Monies are better spent on true conservation programs that preserve natural ecosystems. Most people want to see Super Natural BC not Super Unnatural BC Zoos. In BC we have the privilege of viewing a vast diversity of BC wildlife in their natural homes. That is truly conservation education. Watching this bear pace back and forth and back and forth only promotes speciesism.”
For further information: lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com
Background
Lifeforce Foundation was formed in 1981 to raise awareness of the interrelationship between people, animals and the environment.
The first petition was started in early November to demand that Terry Lake, Environment Minister, release the bear back into the wild. Approximately 600 people have contributed to the petition that was posted by Kamloops resident Ruth Madsen. Support spans from Abbotsford, B.C. to Dublin, Ireland. (https://www.change.org/petitions/minister-lake-return-the-year-old-spirit-bear-placed-in-the-kamloops-zoo-back-to-the-wild)
ADDED NOVEMBER 15TH
Please sign this petition to Free the Spirit Bear who is presently in the Kamloops zoo jail
Free the Spirit Bear
https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/steve-thomson-mla-leg-bc-ca-free-the-spirit-bear#
PREVIOUS INFO
PLEASE SEND THIS LETTER TO HELP SAVE THE SPIRIT BEAR TAKEN TO A ZOO
Open Letter
Dear Premier Christy Clark (premier@gov.bc.ca) and Andrian Dix, Leader Opposition (Adrian.Dix.MLA@leg.bc.ca):
Give this bear freedom! We don't need another exploited circus bear pacing back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. We don’t need people profiting off the plight of this bear.
Just look at the horrible Kamloops jail. Zoo wardens said this bear is "priceless". No doubt they are dreaming of making big money with lots of government funding to try to revive this road side zoo. BTW the Environment Minister’s riding is Kamloops. A conflict of interest? Liberals treat wildlife as renewable resources as seen with their pro trophy hunting position. They are sentient creatures not inanimate objects. They should not be the new zoo fad.
A rare white Spirit Bear should be protected as an endangered species NOT exploited in a barbaric menagerie. Within 1 week he escaped and went back to the woods. He obviously doesn’t want to be around humans.
Tracking bears, including this bear, has proven that rehab and release programs are successful. A New Jersey study will be released at a Bear Conference next week in India.
Funds were donated for Rehab and Release not raising cubs for zoos. The Kamloops Zoo refused black bears. If they keep this bear hostage they will get government funds to build a new tourism attraction and to conduct unnecessary experiments.
The government should state the facts. This bear had no human conflicts since July 2012, the bear only had human contact when idiots fed him in October, other bears also came and went from an archaeological site but Clover was singled out for capture, Clover bolted at capturers and was not friendly, and the bear has a den in the wild to go to. Clover would go into hibernation in a week. Give this bear a chance! This Spirit Bear is still a good candidate for release. He will not die he will hibernate now.
He must not end up as a lone bear in captivity for so call education and scientific research. The natural lives of Kermode Bears can be viewed on video or eco tours. Think of the horrid life ahead for a lone bear pacing back and forth and back and forth. Imprisonment will kill this bear’s spirit. Set the Spirit Bear Free!
For further information: lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com
Vancouver Sun > Kermode Bear Should Be Freed
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Kermode+bear+should+freed+from+Kamloops+sanctuary+Lifeforce/7485272/story.html
Captivity is exploitation! Zoo wardens said this bear is "priceless". They are dreaming of making big money with lots of government funding to try to revive this road side zoo. And money for unnecessary experiments too. BTW the Environment Minister’s riding is Kamloops. A conflict of interest? Stop treating wildlife as renewable resources. They are sentient creatures not inanimate objects. They should not be the new zoo fad. The zoo staff must immediately stop hand feeding and trying to tame this bear. Or else the bear will die prematurely and alone in the zoo prison.
UPDATE
Lifeforce is proposing a Spirit Bear Study to give the bear a chance at
freedom!
Open Letter
Dear Premier:
Re: Spirit Bear Study
I would like to propose a study of rehabilitation methods for the spirit
bear presently at the Kamloops zoo.
This bear had no human conflicts from July to October. The feeding of this
bear and others did not stop the bears from coming and leaving the area.
They were not dependant on humans. There were fish nearby and it was
unfortunate circumstances that led to this issue. This was the first time
for Clover and there should not have been only the "shoot or zoo" limited
options.
I have a long history developing research studies with wildlife. I have
written papers enriching the environments of animals in research
laboratories, deprogrammed 2 monkeys for release into Texas sanctuary
(stopped all habituation of these "pet" monkeys"), worked on various hazing
methods for various species, developed attractors and detractors to prevent
human/wildlife conflicts, studied the behaviour and travel patterns of
endangered orcas (under a Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans
permit) , developed methods to keep endangered orcas away from oil spills,
worked on avoiding net entanglement of whales, and so on.
I would hope that we could work together to conduct a study that would leave
options open for Clover's release. This bear should not be faced with a life
time zoo sentence when it was the fault of stupid humans who were trying to
feed the bears. Clover is not guilty of any human harassment. He is innocent
and should be given a chance at freedom.
For Freedom,
Peter Hamilton
Lifeforce Founding Director
(604)649-5258
lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com
www.lifeforcefoundation.org
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