Traffic of parts and individuals of Andean bear Tremarctos ornatus in Perú

Abstract

Between 2002 and 2007, the sale of parts and derivatives of the Andean bear Tremarctos ornatus was registered in 27 of the 45 markets located in 14 of 24 regions visited in Peru. The regions with the highest sales of bear parts were Lambayeque (32.7%), Piura (17.3%), San Martín (13.5%), Cajamarca (11.5 %) and Amazonas (5.8 %). The main products on sale were bear fat cream (38.4%), fat (17.4 %), paws (14 %), leather (10.5 %) and bones (8.1 %). The parts came mainly from bears hunted in Amazonas (27.6 %), Lambayeque (20.7 %) and San Martin (13.8 %). Bear parts are sold locally mainly for magical and curative uses, although they are also offered as aphrodisiac or food. However, the sale of gallbladder to Asians was registered in Amazonas and Cusco, location where the price was US$ 580. Bear cubs prices fluctuated between US$ 29 and 1,000, depending on the area.