How bear penises, a dead porcupine and a late-night ‘citizens arrest’ featured in poaching probe

The investigation in Bridge Lake, B.C., began with a series of strange events that left locals puzzled and law enforcement officials on high alert. It all started with midnight gunshots, a wounded deer, and a bewildered hunter allegedly abandoned by his friends.

As alarmed residents attempted to effect a “citizen’s arrest” on the hunter, a trail of blood led authorities to a nearby property where wildlife officers uncovered the carcass of a porcupine and two valuable bear penises. These discoveries were part of an ongoing investigation into the unlawful possession of dead wildlife parts by a Richmond, B.C., family suspected of violating wildlife regulations.

Conservation Officer Joel Kline, in a document sworn to obtain a search warrant, highlighted the rampant illegal hunting in remote areas and the conflicts it creates between offenders and property owners. The possession of bear genitals, specifically the penis bone or baculum, is illegal in British Columbia if separated from the hide, as these parts are often sought after in the traditional Chinese medicine market.

The investigation, which began in October 2024, unfolded with witnesses reporting gunshots and a wounded deer along Highway 24 in Bridge Lake. A man was found at the scene, prompting locals to attempt a citizen’s arrest. However, the man fled, leaving behind a suffering deer that had to be euthanized by officers.

Further investigation led authorities to a property where a black truck, believed to be involved in the incident, was registered to a businessman from Richmond. Conservation officers seized items from the property, including bear penis bones and the remains of a porcupine, indicating a pattern of illegal wildlife killings on the premises.

Subsequent raids on the family’s Richmond mansion resulted in the confiscation of cellphones, rifles, ammunition, frozen deer meat, and other incriminating evidence. The search warrant allowed for the examination of electronic devices to gather more information related to the case.

While these allegations have not been proven in court, the investigation sheds light on the illicit wildlife trade and the lengths some individuals will go to procure valuable animal parts. The Conservation Officer Service continues to pursue leads and gather evidence to hold those responsible for wildlife violations accountable.