Protect grizzlies

When I first heard a live bear was going to be at Majesty Valley Arena for a sports show on March 7-8, I felt dismay. Bears should lead a wild life, not be caged for promotion. I went to the show to see how people reacted to the bear and learn the circumstances of that bear's life.

People seemed happy to watch Brutus, a two-year-old grizzly born in captivity and acquired from unethical breeders. There was genuine awe and joy in their eyes as they pointed out his antics to their kids.

There was information available about hiking and living in bear country, because human/bear encounters invariably are negative for the bear. If you admired Brutus, take the next step and stay informed about issues regarding bears. There are many threats — private timber land being converted to development, coal mining in Canada, and the proposed mining under the Cabinet Wilderness to name a few. Respect road closures and other actions taken as a result of the best science available by professionals with the long-term survival of the bear as their goal.

Will our descendants live in a world where they know grizzlies still have wild places to roam? Our collective actions matter.

Kerrie Byrne is a resident of Whitefish.