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Dear Friend:  Last year, we asked our supporters to urge the New York State Legislature to make commercial trade of bear gallbladders and bile unlawful. As a result, the Governor enacted a law to govern the trade of bear products and protect New York's wildlife. Now it is Hawaii's turn - it is currently one of only a few states in the U.S. where the commercial trade of bear bile and products is unrestricted. Senate Bill 2232 (SB2232) and House Bill 2296 (HB2296) will ban the trade of bear bile and body parts. Please act today - urge the Hawaii Legislature to protect bears around the world Bear bile, a digestive fluid extracted from bears' gallbladders, is often used in Traditional Asian Medicines, as well as in non-medical products such as wine and shampoo. Although it is typically produced and used in Asian countries, the high demand for bear bile fosters poaching and illegal trade around the world - including in the U.S. On bear bile farms, bears are confined to tiny cages made of steel bars and bile is extracted by a tube inserted into the gallbladder through an abdominal wound - causing intense pain and trauma. There is absolutely no need for bear bile, as there are effective synthetic and herbal alternatives that are both widely available and affordable. On Feb. 21, the Hawaii Senate Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Judiciary and Labor voted unanimously to pass SB2232. Now, the Senate and House need to pass the bill before it can become state law. Please take action and urge Hawaii Legislators to support SB2232 and HB2296 . It's time Hawaii takes the steps needed to protect bears all over the world. Sincerely, Karen Vale Campaign Manager, WSPA USA Share: