Free Lunch for the Bears at the Zoo
Eric Ortner
North Buffalo Rocket / West Side Times
Photos, top to bottom: 1)The Buffalo Zoological Society Inc.'s Interim President, Rick Paine, prepares to throw Bob the polar bear a piece of confiscated sturgeon. 2) Kelly the polar bear takes her share of the sturgeon and tries to hide it from Bob the Bear. 3) Bob the Bear quickly gulped down his share of the day's catch and eagerly awaited more. photos: Eric OrtnerThe Division of Law Enforcement of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has donated approximately 2,600 pounds of lake sturgeon, valued at nearly $9,000, to the Zoological Society of Buffalo, Inc. in order to feed the polar bears.
The sturgeon was confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on November 3, 1999 when it was being brought into the United States over the Peace Bridge. The U.S. Fish and Wild Life service confiscated the fish because its importation was a violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international wildlife treaty supported by 150 countries.
Due to worldwide trade pressure on various species of sturgeon, mainly from the caviar industry, all species of sturgeon were listed as wildlife needing protection under CITES almost two years ago. Such a classification not only applies to living animals, but also to any parts or products of wildlife listed by CITES.
When the sturgeon was discovered, it had already been cut into smaller pieces and was frozen. It was intended to be sold for human consumption in this country. The party that was supposed to receive this illegal shipment of fish may also be facing charges.
Andrew Steel-man, from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, came up with the brilliant solution to use the frozen fish to feed the Zoo's animals. He explained, "We didn't want it to go to waste."
Therefore, the confiscation ended up being a win-win situation. Not only has an endangered species been further protected, but the Buffalo Zoo will be able to better care for the animals in its confines. Officials from both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Zoological Society are pleased with the results.
"This confiscation shows how seriously the U.S. takes its membership in CITES and should send a message that any violation will not be taken lightly. It is fortunate that the sturgeon could be used in such a beneficial way," said Adam O'Hara who is Northeast Regional Director for Law Enforcement.
Rick Paine, who is Zoological Society Interim President is also happy with the arrangement. He said, "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has turned an unfortunate situation positive. On behalf of our wild and endangered animals, the Buffalo Zoo is thankful for this generous contribution."
