How did you feel when Harambe was killed recently? To recap for all the non-millennials out there, a child entered Harambe the Gorilla's cage in The Cincinnati Zoo, and a quick decision was made to kill the gorilla and save the child. What if I told you a similar scenario is playing out in Southern California right now?

This Monday, a bear attacked a hiker in Bailey Canyon in Sierra Madre in Angeles National Forest in Southern California. The man was not fatally injured and is recovering in a local hospital, however a bear hunt is taking place as you read this with the aim to euthanize this bear. 

Though wildlife populations in the Angeles National Forest continue to decrease each year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's continues to enforce a policy to kill wild animals after they attack humans. This is an extreme reaction and unjust and in desperate need of reform. Most avid hikers, who have explored trails in the Angeles National Forest, understand that they are entering the habitats of many different species and should respect all the animals that live there. When the bear attacked the man in Bailey Canyon, the bear likely attacked in self-defense or simply because he was searching for food. This is likely not a bear that has a grudge against humans or has a taste for human blood. It's simply a bear protecting him or herself when feeling threatened. If I wander into your house, unannounced - even if I have no intention of causing you any harm, you're going to be very alarmed and there's a good chance you're going to attack me. It's no different with the bear in Bailey Canyon. A man entered the bear's home and his/her animal insticts kicked in and he acted on it. 

Overall, this was an unfortunate accident but does not call for such an extreme punishment. Please help and sign my petition to ask that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reevaluate their policy for these wild animals; show you care about keeping the wildlife population in our parks safe and healthy.