wildlife

Picture sets stage for bear's destruction

Pausing for porridge? How is it possible for the Sagle area or any other developing area in North Idaho to consider this a "cute" picture. It looks to me like the stage has been set for the possible destruction of these "wild" animals.

All of my life, I have been told never to feed the bears. They are wild animals that need to forage on their own, and I see a picture of what looks to me like someone feeding the bears for a picture that, of all places, ends up on the front page of the local newspaper.

What happens when the bears go to someone else's house for a free handout and don't find one? Will they start going through the neighbor's dog food, cat food, garbage?

With the hot weather and doors being left open, will they be bold enough to go into somebody's house? Is the stage being set for these "teddy bears," wild animals, to have to be destroyed because somebody wanted a cute picture for the newspaper. Who can we blame for the bears' demise when they become dependent on man for food and don't find it.

I think you are creating a possible problem in that area and signing a needless death warrant for those bears for the sake of a cute, front-page "teddy bear picnic."

Shame on you, and the editor, for posing this picture that promotes this behavior. I think Fish and Game should cite Barbara Copley for baiting of a game animal out of season, whether it be for sport or for the cute picture. It was wrong and illegal. In the state parks, you would be fined $50 or more for leaving food out for any animal to find. At the very least, Ms. Barbara Copley owes the bears and the people of Bonner County an apology for inciting this behavior and an encouragement to all the people to not promote this practice.

BRUCE BANGEMAN

Ponderay