| Bear Sterilization
- A Statement of Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner
(03/135) TRENTON –
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner
Bradley M. Campbell today released the following statement
in response to the New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance suggestion
that New Jersey bears be injected with Neutersol, a chemical
approved for the sterilization of puppies:
"I fail to see how injecting an
untested chemical, at speculative doses, into the testes
of our majestic black bear population could possibly be
considered humane. There have been no studies to determine
whether this would be effective, nor to determine appropriate
dose levels, nor to assess what painful or injurious effects
this might have on the bears used as subjects.
The DEP is already working with the Humane
Society of the United States to conduct a pilot study
with bears on the effectiveness of PZP, an immunocontraceptive.
Nonetheless, we will review this proposal
as we work to develop immunocontraception and other tools
to safely manage this population in accordance with sound
science and with applicable law."
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