Fund for Animals Applauds Black Bear Conservation Stamp Program For Paying More Than $8,500 to Maryland Farmers

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TO STATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:

Fund for Animals Applauds Black Bear Conservation Stamp Program For Paying More Than $8,500 to Maryland Farmers

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND, Jun. 21 -/E-Wire/-- The Fund for Animals today applauded the Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp program for paying $8,518.96 to Maryland farmers as compensation for agricultural damage caused by black bears during the 2000-2001 fiscal year. There were thirteen reported instances of bear damage, mostly to corn fields, and the compensation covered 70% of all eligible damage claims.

The stamp program has now paid approximately $49,000 to Maryland farmers since its inception in 1996. For the first three years of the program, it had raised only enough money to pay 42% of eligible reimbursements each year. In the past two years, however, there has been less damage caused by black bears, and more revenue generated through the stamp fund, allowing the program to reimburse farmers for 70% of the damages.

"This has been another banner year for the black bear stamp program, as Maryland residents are eager to help protect our state's majestic black bears," said Michael Markarian, Executive Vice President of The Fund for Animals. "This program is one of the most unique and innovative in the nation, and is a win-win situation for Maryland's farmers, citizens, and bears."

Black bears, once nearly extinct in Maryland, have made a remarkable comeback. The healthy population includes 300 to 400 bears in western Maryland. Through donations and the sale of stamps, t-shirts, and other merchandise, the program generates funds that are used to compensate farmers who have reported damage to certain agricultural crops caused by black bears, thus increasing tolerance and appreciation for this unique species.

Markarian added, "While some trophy hunters are currently calling for the heads of Maryland black bears, an overwhelming majority of Maryland residents want to solve bear problems humanely and want to tolerate and appreciate our small population of bears in this state."

The Black Bear Conservation Stamp program is administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and is supported by The Fund for Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, and other animal protection and conservation organizations. To purchase stamps or t-shirts or to learn more about the program, Maryland residents can call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE] or visit http://www.marylandbears.com .

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X74765639

The Fund for Animals

http://http://www.fund.org

http://http://www.marylandbears.com/

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