‘Highly concerning’: Skagit County woman sentenced for trafficking black bear body parts

A Skagit County woman was sentenced Aug. 25 for trafficking black bear body parts, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced.

Yan L. Li, 54, pleaded guilty to one Class C Felony count of unlawful wildlife trafficking. Li was sentenced to 45 days of confinement and received a $1,800 fine.

In 2020, the Skagit County Health Department (SCHD) received complaints of possible restaurant health code violations and notified WDFW.

The complaints indicated several dead local waterfowl (aquatic birds) were located outside of Li’s restaurant. WDFW was able to confirm Li’s restaurant did not sell the waterfowl.

WDFW officers cited Li for possession of wildlife without a statement and required a court fine in December 2020.

WDFW catches Li in undercover trafficking sting

In 2021, a WDFW investigation was conducted after similar complaints were submitted to SCHD. The investigation concluded that Li illegally purchased whole waterfowl and black bear parts.

In total, Li purchased 13 gall bladders, six livers, and 24 paws with claws attached from undercover WDFW officers.

According to WDFW, the black market prices for gall bladders and other body parts can reach up to $200 locally and thousands of dollars overseas.

“The perceived medicinal value creates an increased demand for the species and their body parts, which threatens the long-term survivability of a population by overharvesting,” WDFW Police Captain Brad Rhoden said. “Beyond being illegal, it’s highly concerning to unethically waste black bears, or any wildlife for that matter, for nothing more than a few body parts being sold on the black market.”

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