Three Bears General Store has recently purchased two young black bears, only to force them to live in a barren concrete pit. The pit is devoid of any natural enrichment and has already been the site of previous deaths, likely due to the poor and inhumane conditions. The young bears have been observed pacing in this confined space, a clear sign of distress and frustration.
Black bears are highly intelligent and active creatures, meant to roam vast landscapes, dig dens, forage for food, and climb trees. Their natural behaviors are restricted in this pit, which is unsuitable for their physical and psychological well-being. In an accredited sanctuary, these bears would have the opportunity to live in a much larger, naturalistic environment where they could express their innate behaviors, receive proper care, and lead a much healthier life.
It is crucial that Three Bears General Store send the bears to an accredited sanctuary immediately to prevent them from suffering the same fate as those who have died in the pit. Please urge the store to act responsibly, close the pit, and provide these animals with the proper environment they deserve.
In 2014, PETA rescued two Himalayan black bears from a cramped cage in the backyard of Three Bears’ previous owner, Bill DeLozier. These bears were deprived of everything natural to them—space to roam, food to forage, and the ability to exhibit behaviors like climbing and digging. Thanks to PETA’s efforts, they were transferred to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, where they received the care they so desperately needed. Their lives improved dramatically in this safe, naturalistic setting, but sadly, bears are still suffering at the roadside attraction under new ownership.
The conditions these bears endure at Three Bears General Store are a form of exploitation rooted in speciesism—a human-supremacist worldview that devalues animals based on their species. The current living situation for the bears, confined to a barren concrete pit, is cruel and unjust. It is a stark reminder that even though some bears were rescued, others continue to suffer due to human disregard for their welfare.