10/29/09

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) _ Federal wildlife officials say a
second dead grizzly bear that had its claws removed has been found
along the Rocky Mountain Front.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Brian Lakes says
the body of a female grizzly was found Oct. 18 on the Blackfeet
Indian Reservation. Lakes says the bear was shot and its claws had
been removed, prompting concerns that it was connected to the Oct.
1 discovery of another dead grizzly, also found with claws missing,
in the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

Lewis says there's a black market for grizzly claws.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday that it
was offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the
identification and prosecution of those responsible.

It is a violation of the Endangered Species Act to kill a
grizzly.

___

Information from: Great Falls Tribune,
http://www.greatfallstribune.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-10-29-09 0705MDT<