October 9th 2004

From: The New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs

For more information: phone George Howard at (908) 735-5046

Bradley Campbell, Animal Rights advocates and Black Bear fertility control experiments at Great Adventure Safari Park

The State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs took particular notice of an article by Brian Murray in the October 8^th 2004 edition of the Star Ledger which detailed the start of experiments in bear fertility control dreamed up by animal rights advocates and DEP Commissioner Brad Campbell, and being promoted by them as a feasible alternative to a bear hunt this year to control the expansion of northwest Jersey’s already much too large bear population.

Regarding the Great Adventure experiments, they are exactly that – experiments, and probably not even scientifically acceptable research at that, - and certainly not a feasible alternative, at this time or in the near future, for controlling New Jersey black bear populations.   There are a very small number of Black Bears at Great Adventure (less than 20) and certainly not enough for two studies as Brad Campbell proposes. Reading the article it is evident that Campbell is still spinning his “Politics trumps Science” approach to environmental matters.  While still promoting birth control over hunting as a population control measure this year, he also throws in such mitigating statements as “we’re committed to starting it this year” and “not everything has been finally approved”. 

It would appear that the spokesman for the Humane Society (HSUS), researcher Alan Rutberg, who is also quoted in the article, is more attuned to the complexity of the endeavor than Campbell.   He is quoted as stating “This is a long term project, and “nothing will be known for a while”. Also that “bears’ reproduction systems are very complicated”.  The article also states that the studies could take years.   Still we have Campbell putting the political spin on New Jersey’s bear management program by advocating “fertility control now” as though it is actually a feasible solution to today’s bear problems. 

It should be stated up front that the State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs has no problem with legitimate scientifically based wildlife research, including wildlife fertilility control research, such as that being conducted on white-tailed deer in Princeton by researcher Anthony Di Nicola, which we support. 

 It has long been evident to the sportsmen and others, however, that Brad Campbell’s overriding political approach to all aspects of wildlife management in our State is doing irreparable harm to New Jersey’s wildlife resource, and that Campbell’s political biases should not be the determining factor controlling research and management of New Jersey’s wildlife. Brad Campbell’s all-encompassing micro-management of every facet  of the Division of  Fish and Wildlife, his interference with policies which have long governed the artificial reef program, plus Campbell’s recent decisions regarding Petty’s Island and the Meadowlands, to name a few, certainly bear this out.

George P. Howard, Conservation Director

NJ State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs

219 Sidney Road,

Pittstown, NJ  08867

Ph. (908) 735-5046

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