Blondie was a mother.

She was doing what any mother—human or animal—would do: protecting her babies.

After swiping at a dog walker near her den, where her newborn cubs were hiding, Blondie was captured and euthanized. The woman suffered minor injuries. The cubs were unharmed. But Blondie lost her life.

Animal advocates have made clear: this was not aggression, it was instinct. A mother bear defending her young.

As human development continues to expand into wildlife habitats, encounters like this are becoming more common. But when they happen, the response should not be immediate death for the animal simply for behaving naturally.

Blondie’s story is heartbreaking, but it is not unique.

There were other options. Community members and local leaders called for relocation. More than 3,000 people spoke up asking for a different outcome. But those voices came too late—and Blondie paid the price.

We can, and must, do better.

We are calling on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and state leaders to adopt stronger, humane wildlife response policies that prioritize:

• Relocation over euthanasia whenever possible
• Clear protocols for handling mother animals with young
• Increased investment in coexistence strategies to prevent these encounters

Wild animals should not be killed for acting like wild animals.

Blondie deserved a chance to live. Her cubs deserved to stay with their mother.

Sign this petition to demand justice for Blondie—and to ensure that no other mother animal is killed simply for protecting her young.