This petition is important because between 1800 and 1975, grizzly bear populations in the lower 48 states, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA, decreased from estimates of more than 100,000 to less than 1,000. The Grizzly Bear is the California state animal; its resemblance on our State flag for all to behold; and therefore California has a moral and civic duty to enact stronger laws and regulations requiring its commercial and agricultural organizations to act responsibly in protecting and respecting the grizzly. Livestock depredation control, habitat deterioration, commercial trapping, unregulated hunting and the perception that grizzlies threatened human life are leading causes of the decline of the grizzly in California. HOW CAN THIS BE within a proud and perceived prosperous state such as California? We also ask that the state of California curtail further degradation of habitat due to rural and recreational development, road building, covert energy and mine exploration; along with habitat destruction in valley bottoms and riparian areas which are used by grizzlies as corridors of safe passage from one area to another when searching for food; which continues to currently threaten the survival of the grizzly bears.