Wildlife management in California is failing its wildlife and it must change. California has the resources, science, and influence to lead the way in ethical conservation across the United States. Instead, it continues to rely on outdated systems that default to killing.

In March 2026, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife killed a mother black bear in Monrovia. Her name was Blondie, she had two cubs and she was tranquilized and euthanized after being labeled a public safety threat. Her cubs were taken into care and will grow up without their mother. This is not an isolated incident.

In October 2025, an endangered wolf family was killed. Their pups were never recovered. Across California, thousands of coyotes are killed each year through government-backed programs. Other native species (raccoons, skunks, and opossums) are killed in large numbers with little public visibility or accountability.

Animals are being pushed into human spaces by habitat loss, then punished for adapting to it. When conflict happens, the response is predictable: lethal force. This is not coexistence. 

If killing is the outcome, then the system failed long before that moment. We need a different approach: one that addresses root causes instead of reacting to consequences.

We are calling for meaningful change in how California manages wildlife:

• Non-lethal intervention must be the standard starting point, not an afterthought
• Wildlife killings must be fully tracked and publicly reported
• The state must invest in prevention, including education and coexistence tools
• Decisions that result in orphaned young or ecological harm must carry accountability

This is not just about one bear, its about how we move forward. California can lead; or it can continue to fail the wildlife it is meant to protect.