Demanding Justice for 13 Black Bear Cubs Killed by TWRA

To: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Governor of Tennessee, Tennessee State Legislature, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

We, the undersigned, are outraged by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s (TWRA) recent decision to seize and euthanize (a polite word for murder) 13 bear cubs under the care of Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR). We demand accountability, transparency, and systemic reforms to ensure this tragedy is never repeated.

These 13 bear cubs, orphaned and cared for by ABR since spring, were scheduled to be rewilded within days. Instead, TWRA euthanized them, citing upper respiratory symptoms in only three of the cubs.

Despite receiving antibiotic treatment, no follow-up testing or assessments were conducted. The eight healthy cubs in a separate enclosure were also killed without justification.

TWRA acted without consulting ABR, an organization with decades of experience rehabilitating orphaned bears.

Why This Matters:
Lack of Transparency: TWRA has provided no detailed explanation or evidence supporting this extreme decision.

Betrayal of Public Trust: TWRA’s actions undermine confidence in Tennessee’s wildlife management policies.

Disregard for Expertise: TWRA ignored ABR’s proven track record of rewilding orphaned cubs, choosing instead to take unilateral and irreversible action.

Our Demands:
Full Transparency: TWRA must release all records related to the decision, including medical evaluations, consultation logs, and internal communications.

Independent Investigation: Conduct a thorough, independent review of TWRA’s actions, led by experts unaffiliated with the agency.

Policy Reform: Implement legislation requiring collaboration with wildlife rehabilitation organizations and the consideration of non-lethal alternatives before euthanizing animals.

Accountability: Hold responsible parties within TWRA accountable for this decision and ensure changes to prevent future incidents.

This tragedy is a wake-up call for all who care about wildlife. The unjustified killing of these cubs violates the principles of conservation and humanity. We will not stand by while state agencies act without accountability or regard for the animals they are entrusted to protect.

Sign This Petition
Your signature sends a powerful message to TWRA and Tennessee leaders: we demand better for our wildlife. Together, we can ensure that future decisions prioritize transparency, collaboration, and the humane treatment of animals.

Sign now to demand justice for the 13 bear cubs and protect the future of wildlife conservation.

Make a Donation directly to the 2024 Bear Necessities Fundraising Drive: Vet care is expensive. With so many cubs, and sick or injured one, it's cost $450K this year. They also need money for the total santization of Wild Enclosure 4, where the one sick cub had been. In addition, the goal was to build a Wild Enclosure 5 to take pressure off the other 4 enclosures and allow one to 'rest'.  In view of what's just happened, all of these financial undertakings are urgent. A symbolic donation of $13 in memory of the cubs is great, but any amount, no matter how small, or large, will help ABR continue their urgent mission, including the 3 cubs they still have. Go here to donate now:

https://appalachianbearrescue.org/2024-bear-necessities-campaign/