Something's "Bruin" at the Governor's Mansion! Costumed "Bear" Leads Rally Against First Trophy Hunt in Fifty Years

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 19, 2004) – A costumed "black bear" will join Maryland citizens, The Fund for Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, and others at a rally in front of Governor Ehrlich’s home this Saturday. With banners, signs, and leaflets, protestors will call on the Governor to halt the state’s first black bear trophy hunt in half a century from taking place this October. Speakers at the rally will include Michael Markarian, President of The Fund for Animals, and Wayne Pacelle, CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

WHEN: Saturday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Governor Ehrlich’s mansion, 100 State Circle, Annapolis

The Maryland black bear population, once hunted to near extinction, is now estimated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to be between 266 and 437 bears. Governor Ehrlich and the DNR approved a bear hunt to take place in October, despite a lack of scientific studies on how the hunt would impact the bear population and a lack of analysis of black bear habitat needs.

"Governor Ehrlich and other state officials should stop trying to dupe the public," said Wayne Pacelle, CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "This hunt won't solve the relatively few problems bears cause for people. It's a trophy hunt, designed to appease the state's hunting lobby."

The Fund for Animals and the Humane Society of the United States have also offered $75,000 for education on humane bear control methods and to compensate farmers fully for agricultural damage by bears, provided the hunt is stopped. The governor and the DNR have refused the offer.