Chinese demand is also bad news for wildlife (HCN, 7/25/11). In Africa, thousands of Chinese are building railroads, highways and other projects while illegally exporting ivory. Elephants are being butchered in the thousands to meet this demand. In Russia, the Chinese will pay $50,000 for one dead, rare Siberian tiger. Apparently, they value tiger parts like bones and skins. Will the next export to China be gall bladders from dead Wyoming grizzly bears?
Monty Wilson
Blue River, Oregon
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Give us your bears and your energy.