DEP Commissioner Says Bear Sterilization could be Inhumane
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
10/06/03
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell 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."
