Bear Mascot

In only a few short weeks, the community of Big Bear, overcome by Cocomania, has given the public an education unsurpassed in local history (Part A, March 27).

It has taught us that misguided passion (not to be confused with compassion) has united residents and politicians alike, openly disregarding state laws and demeaning and threatening those who enforce them. It has maximized tourism through the sales of T-shirts and beverages topped with gummy bears and littered mountain roads with distracting signs. Using this rationale, the town insists the best interest of an innocent bear cub is to remain in Big Bear Valley as their mascot.

A proposed 2-to-4 acre “natural habitat” would deprive Coco of her territorial needs and freedom to fulfill her natural instincts, becoming frustrated and confused as she matures. Captive bears teach us nothing about the behavior of wild bears.

Wildlife is property of the state--including citizens outside of the mountain resort communities. The funds and energy spent to keep the cub in Big Bear Valley would be better served preserving critical wildlife habitat, and improving facilities for the nearby Moonridge Animal Park bears, adopting one of the bears already in captivity as their mascot.

JERYE MOONEY

Coordinator, Los Angeles

The Fund for Animals Inc.