Sask. woman charged after trafficking bear paws and gallbladders

Genie, a thirteen year old American Black bear looks up from a nap at the Zoo Eco Museum west of Montreal, Sunday, March 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

A Saskatchewan woman has been fined $12,000 and faces long-term hunting suspensions for wildlife trafficking and unlawful transport of wildlife parts.

A public tip in 2022 to the general investigations section of the Ministry of Community Safety led to an investigation into the suspected trafficking of bear gallbladders.

Conservation officers began their investigation in the town of Maidstone, which later expanded into B.C., where a second suspect was identified.

The Saskatchewan portion of the investigation concluded in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Nov. 24, 2025.

Weol Ran Lee of Maidstone pleaded guilty to trafficking in wildlife, including black bear paws and gall bladders. She also pleaded guilty to unlawfully transporting wildlife parts between provinces and purchasing bear paws illegally in Saskatchewan and taking them to Alberta.

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In total she’s been fined $12,000, received a five-year hunting suspension, is prohibited from possessing bear parts for five years, and had to give up any money seized in relation to the offence.

In August 2025, the second suspect, a family member of Lee’s, pleaded guilty in B.C. to unlawful possession and wildlife trafficking involving bear parts. There were fined a total of $9,875.

“Trafficking in wildlife undermines lawful hunting, devalues public natural resources, and can negatively affect wildlife populations and broader ecosystem health,” the Government of Saskatchewan said in a news release.

“Information from citizens plays an important role in protecting wildlife and supporting enforcement efforts.”