Testimony Against ODFW: Abuse of Power & the Killing of Bear Cubs
Channel: Wild ACRN
Date: 2021-08-13

On August 6th ACRN testified to the Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) Commission against the agency's outrageous abuse of authority against Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center and the killing of an infant black bear. 

This cub that was found in the Detroit area where wildfire had ravaged the wilderness last summer. Orphaned desperate for help, a good Samaritan brought the cub to Turtle Ridge for help. Jessy Gill, director and wildlife rehabilitator, stayed up all night treating its emaciation. 

The next day she notified ODFW of the bear, and Oregon State Police (OSP) went out on their behalf, and took the bear for ODFW to kill, with no justification given. OSP then filed a Class A Criminal Misdemeanor against Jessy, which carries a $6,500 fine and 1 year in jail. 

Why? Because she didn't contact them "immediately." Here's the thing, the cub was brought to her after ODFW was closed at 7:30pm, and had told Turtle Ridge not to call them after hours in the past.

Others who testified on behalf of the now deceased bear and Turtle Ridge are: 

Mary Bliss (Founder of Turtle Ridge), 
Scott Beckstead (Director of Campaigns, Animal Wellness Action, Center for a Humane Economy), 
Jackie Marsden (Founder, Squirrel Refuge, ACRN advocate),
Bob Sallinger (Director of Conservation, Portland Audubon)

I wrote a letter to the Commission days prior which goes deeper into what happened and the broader impact of this, which is available here: https://www.wildacrn.org/news/letter-odfw/

This is not a one-off incident. ODFW has a history that shows a pattern of this hostile and antagonistic attitude towards wildlife, those who work hard to protect and preserve it, and the kind-hearted people who find and rescue them. Just days later the same thing happened in Ashland, in this instance ODFW tried to ruin the life of a Fire Chief who tried to save another black bear, which they also killed: https://bit.ly/2XsrcPp.

More coming soon...