Bears do not belong in confinement of a zoo or any other such facility that robs them of a productive and natural life. It is a sad fact that dozens of bears end up in dungeon-like pits for the amusement of humans. Such is the case at Cherokee Bear Zoo in North Carolina. Read more at http://www.peta.org/action/action-alerts/tell-usda-ban-bear-pits-now/?utm_campaign=061716%20PETA%20E-News&utm_source=PETA%20E-Mail&utm_medium=E-News & https://www.yahoo.com/news/tribal-elders-theyll-sue-cherokee-nc-bear-zoo-174137141.html?ref=gs
Keeping bears in these types of pits can cause the bears undue stress and discomfort that leads to a behavior of pacing and walking in circles. Since these enclosures are typically on cement slabs, the animals can endure pressure sores, arthritis and other painful debilitating diseases. These types of enclosures need to be banned for the health and welfare of the bears.
Animal advocates have pushed for an end to the confinement of these bears in pits for some time now but is lacking in support. Bears are highly intelligent creatures with a wide range of emotions. Living in these pits deprives the bears of what comes natural to them, including foraging for the foods they love and prefer. There is nothing natural and normal for the bears living in such an unnatural environment.
The effort in this petition is to encourage the USDA Secretary, Tom Vilsack to move forward and ensure that they ban bear pits permanently and immediately, granting these animals the normal life they deserve. You can help with this crucial issue by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own thoughts and comments in saving these bears.
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack – As far back as 2012, it was proposed that there be a ban placed on bear pits but such an effort was lacking in support by veterinarians and leading bear experts. With current findings of what the bears endure in these pits, I strongly urge you to move forward with a strict and immediate ban on bear pits. Such an unnatural existence for these animals is in violation of the Animal Welfare Act and so debilitating for the bears. As an avid animal advocate, I rely on the USDA to ensure the protection of these animals. Please stop the obvious and alleged abuse, cruelty and danger of these bears by banning the bear pits, ensuring that any exhibited bears are kept and treated safely and humanely.
