Over 3,800 voices came together for Blondie. While we are heartbroken by the outcome, this support was not for nothing.

What began as a call to save one bear in Monrovia has become a call to improve how we manage human wildlife conflict moving forward.

Through this process, we have gained a clearer understanding of how these decisions are made. Under California’s Black Bear Policy, once a bear is classified as a “Public Safety Bear,” euthanasia may be carried out quickly, often without a full contextual review or opportunity for broader community awareness.

While public safety must always remain the top priority, Blondie’s case has highlighted an opportunity to strengthen the process.

We are evolving this petition to advocate for:

• A full and thorough investigation prior to euthanasia when feasible, including witness statements and complete incident context
• Evaluation of bear behavior, including warning signs and whether actions were defensive rather than aggressive
• Increased transparency in how decisions are made and communicated
• Earlier intervention and prevention efforts following initial incidents to reduce escalation
• Stronger community education and access to bear-proofing resources

We believe euthanasia should be a last resort, used only after all reasonable efforts have been made to prevent conflict and safely manage wildlife.

This is not just about one bear.
It is about how we move forward.
Blondie brought awareness, connection, and a community together.

Now we carry that forward with purpose.

3,800 voices proved people care. Now we turn that into change. 🐻🤎

Reference: California Black Bear Policy (CDFW)
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=222291&inline

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Original Petition:

Save Blondie the Monrovia Mother Bear and Her Cubs

Blondie, a mother bear known to local residents in Monrovia, and her two cubs were recently captured following an encounter that resulted in minor injuries to a woman walking her dog. DNA testing is currently underway to determine if she was involved.

If confirmed, Blondie may face euthanasia.

Black bears typically avoid people and are not aggressive by nature. When cubs are involved, however, mothers can become defensive if they feel their young are threatened. In these situations, bears may display warning behaviors such as huffing, jaw popping, bluff charging, or lastly swiping to create space.

Encounters like this are rare, but they can escalate quickly when wildlife feels pressured or surprised.

Blondie is not just a bear. She is a mother raising two cubs in a shared landscape where wildlife and communities overlap.

Euthanizing Blondie would leave two cubs without their mother. While they may be placed in rehabilitation, their chances of learning to survive naturally in the wild are greatly impacted without her.

We respectfully ask the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to carefully consider all available options other than euthanasia, including relocation, rehabilitation, or other humane management approaches that prioritize both public safety and wildlife conservation.

This situation is not just about one encounter. It is about how we choose to coexist with wildlife in our communities.

Protecting both people and wildlife requires thoughtful, balanced decisions. Please sign and share to help give Blondie and her cubs a second chance. 🐻