Community Corner

Meatball Memorabilia Bid Hits $2,000

Lions, Tigers & Bears, the nonprofit housing Meatball, will auction the original California Department of Fish & Game "210" ear tag, a blue paw print from the bear when he was asleep during his physical examination and a photo throug

The price on Meatball's memorabilia reached $2,000 on an eBay bid Wednesday.

Animal sanctuary Lions, Tigers and Bears is raising money to give the garbage-loving animal a four-acre habitat. The group has raised $105,000 so far and needs to reach $250,000 to house the 500-pound animal in the San Diego area. 

Auction items include the original California Department of Fish & Game "210" ear tag, a blue paw print from the bear when he was asleep during his physical examination and a photo now through Nov. 18 on eBay, according to the organization. 

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Click HERE to view the auction or make a bid

Last week the nonprofit announced it would auction the ear tag and paw print along with a lock of fur, which is reportedly against California state law, state fish and game officials told Patch.

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The group called the auction off and announced it would re-post the auction without the animal's fur, said Bobbi Brink, Founder and Director, Lions Tigers & Bears. 

"Lions Tigers and Bears coorporated with the California Department of Fish and Game for the investigation of our Ebay ad this morning. We were unaware that it was a violation of the law to sell a lock of hair from a bear online. This was an open and closed investigation, and Lions Tigers and Bears has Fish and Game's blessing to put Meatball's ear tag and paw print up for sale on Ebay. We thank everyone for your continued support for fundraising of the new habitat for Meatball," Brink said in a prepared statement. 

Anyone interested in making a direct donation to Lions Tigers & Bears can visit www.LionsTigersAndBears.org.

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