Rally for the Bears Huge Success!
On July 24, 2004, hundreds of Maryland citizens and animal advocates joined The Fund for Animals and The Humane Society of the United States in front of Governor Robert Ehrlich's mansion to oppose the black bear trophy hunt.

Led by their black bear "mascot," rally participants chanted, "stop the trophy hunt," while holding signs, banners and teddy bears. "We want the governor to know he can't sit on his hands and let this happen," said The Fund for Animals' president, Michael Markarian, who called on Governor Ehrlich to continue the Maryland tradition of more than 50 years of black bear protection and stop the bear hunt in its tracks. Dr. Joseph Lamp, a member of the Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission, revealed that pro-hunting forces on the commission are pushing for the trophy hunt. Wayne Pacelle, CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, emphasized the need for compassion for black bears, and humane and respectful treatment of all our wild neighbors.

» Photos from the July 24 rally in Annapolis.

» Video of the rally from The Humane Society of the United States (requires RealMedia to play).

» Protesters Rally in Md. To Protect Black Bears. Article from WashingtonPost.com (free registration required to view this article).

» Protesters take bear-hunt fight to Ehrlich's door. Article from BaltimoreSun.com (free registration required to view this article).