The San Francisco Chronicle covers the problem of poaching in California, noting that poaching for profit is up in these tough economic times:

The illegal trapping and sale of wildlife is more difficult than ever to prevent because the number of game wardens has steadily dwindled due to budget cuts, said Nancy Foley, chief of enforcement for the California Department of Fish and Game.

Readers of this blog should know that Audubon California is working hard in Sacramento to get tougher penalties enacted into law to discourage poachers, who now know that they'll get little more than a slap on the wrist if they get caught. We're supporting AB 708, which is now moving through the Senate after being unanimously passed in the Assembly. You can help by signing our petition.