I'm proposing this petition personally, because losing the black bears of the Gatlinburg Mountains is not an option for me nor should it be for anyone else. These magnificent creatures, which have lived in these ranges long before we started encroaching upon their territory, are now sinking under the fatal consequences of human ignorance.

Black bears are being euthanized on an unjust basis. Individual animals sometimes wander into populated areas and rather than exploring more humane methods, they are being killed. This is both unfair and preventable. Human-wildlife conflict should be resolved sensitively, respecting all life involved.

As per the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, a total of six bears were euthanized in 2019 in Sevier County alone. This is a significant number for a species that is already under threat from habitat loss, climate change, and conflict with humans.

In a world that is rapidly losing its biodiversity, every life saved counts. Bears have a pivotal role in eco-systems, contributing to a healthy and balanced forest by dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations. Their presence is an indicator of a sound environment.

So, I am urging the Gatlinburg local agencies to take note and to implement more conscious policies regarding the treatment of black bears. Let's work together to coexist, to educate ourselves and general public about these spectacular beings who rightfully inhabit the Gatlinburg Mountains, their ancestral homes.

A policy change is overdue. Protecting these bears is not only a conservation issue but a moral obligation. Kindly sign and share this petition to voice your support for wildlife, for balance, for coexistence. Let's show that we can live in harmony with the rightful residents of the mountains.