Clark's Trading Post is a family owned business in Lincoln, NH. It has been in operation since 1928. Before the Bear shows, they ensalved pure-bred Eskimo sled dogs to pull the weight of tourists in search of artifacts from the far North. In 1931 Florence and Ed purchased their first Black Bear. Clark's Bears acted as the perfect "stopper," a visible attraction, gaining the attention of the curious passer-by. A land that is home for Wild Black Bears and many other wonderful yet powerful creatures. Clark's Trading Post has many other business ventures within it's operation including; Bumper Boats, Train Shows, Magic Shows, Circus Acts, Large Gift Shop, Food, Segway Tours and many more. Their largest advertisement capitalizes on their Bear Shows where they train these wild animals to perform like Circus Slaves. These bears are used for a short period during the summer to bring in business and are then held in metal fenced concrete quarters with only a shallow, dirty hot pool until the following season. Last year 2013, a bear retailiated on one of the trainers. The fate of that bear is unknown. Clark's act is cruel and unacceptable. Many organizations have campaigned against this show for many years.

 

 

Bears will only perform frightening tricks, such as riding scooters or balancing on a ball, through physical punishment, fear, and intimidation. Being kept in tiny enclosures causes most bears to go insane. Captive bears spend much of the day pacing, walking in tight circles, swaying or rolling their heads, and showing other signs of psychological distress. Using these bears in a tawdry sideshow is cruel and doesn’t showcase any of their natural behavior or intelligence. 

 

These bears are dragged around and forced to entertain crowds of NH tourists paying $20 a ticket. It is sickening to witness beautiful wild animals being abused at the hands of greed in a state which is world renowned for it's dedication to wildlife. People who take their children and family show that it is acceptable to abuse animals for your own pleasure. How is this right?

 

Clark admits that he has hand-raised most of his bears from infancy. This means that the babies were forcibly removed from their mothers within days of birth. Bears have strong maternal instincts, and premature separation is psychologically cruel to both the infants and their mothers. It also deprives the babies of the maternal care needed for normal physical and mental development.

 

Animal exhibitors touring the scenic New Hampshire Mountain region follow a tight schedule. The logistics of fulfilling multiple contracts do not allow for downtime to let animals rest or exercise or to attend to sick or injured animals. It’s impossible to know how many animals suffer and die because the bears are constantly on display and put away with exhaustion. For the most part, no one is watching. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees animal shows, but with fewer than 100 inspectors covering the country, it’s virtually impossible to regularly monitor these exhibitors. Innumerable small-town venues lack a veterinarian with expertise in exotic animals, and animals who are ill or injured may go untreated. Many animals are inexpensive to procure, making it cheaper to replace them than to pay for veterinary care or lose time attending to a sick animal.

 

We will be sending this petition to the New Hampshire State Governor's Commission of Humane Treatment of Animals as well as: 

 

The Humane Society of the United States

 

APWE Association of Professional Wildlife Educators - Board of Directors & Legislative Chairperson

 

New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife Department - Andrew Timmins, Director - Concord, New Hampshire

 

Town of Lincoln, New Hampshire - Wild Life Welfare Officer, Brook Rose

 

United States Department of Agriculture APHIS Wildlife Services

Elizabeth Goldentyer, DMV Regional Director - Animal Care 

Eastern Region 

 

As well as the 30 corporate sponsors represented throughout New Hampshire. We hope to gather at least 10,000 signatures.

 

In a state that has such a profound dedication to the preservation of WILDLIFE, how can we let this cruelty happen at Clark's Trading Post? Keep your giftshop and your entertainment.  Close your "BEAR SHOW" and release your wild animals to New Hampshire's Audubon Natural Enviorment Wildlife Sanctuaries. Please help by signing this petition and sharing with as many people as possible.

 

How do human beings have the right to take animals out of the wild, risk their safety, the safety of others, all for the sake of monetary profit. These animals deserve to be in nature and this town is not the kind of town that wants to be commercialized with circus acts and such cruelty to animals. I am asking that if you feel these animals deserve a chance or if you agree that it is wrong to strip these innocent animals of a full life, please help save the bears! New Hampshire NEEDS to EVOLVE!