To: Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior
Secretary Jewell: Don't Lift The Hunting Ban For Louisiana Black Bears
This campaign has ended.
Dear Secretary Jewell:
While the increase in the Louisiana Black Bear population is encouraging, the species has still not recovered to a point where removing it from the Endangered Species List is warranted. Such a drastic action would result in lifting the 30 year hunting ban that has allowed this iconic species to recover from the brink of extinction. I urge you to reconsider removing the Louisiana Black Bear from the Endangered Species List and to prohibit any proposed hunting program.
Why is this important?
1. In 1992 only 100 Louisiana Black Bears remained due to a shrinking habitat.
2. Currently, there are only 500 to 1,000 bears believed to be in existence, which is too little to warrant removing from the Endangered Species List.
3. Due to climate change and oil and gas development, many parts of Louisiana's bear habitats are shrinking.
4. The combination of a shrinking habitat and lifting the 30 year hunting ban could bring the Louisiana Black Bear back to the brink of extinction.