It is sad. Problem here in AZ, and elsewhere, is that people either put out food for bears, or are careless in putting out their garbage. Bears get bolder in seeking out food near people, and lose their fear of people, potentially making for deadly bear/human encounters. Game wardens sometimes tranquilize a bear and move it to some remote place. But, if the bear keeps coming back, it's judged a "danger" and is killed.

Here's the text of the letter:

EDITOR:

In response the murder of the innocent small bear in Sedona, animals referred to by John Muir as our horizontal brothers, have long been recognized as essential to our development and wellbeing. Throughout history, they have played a major role in human stories. There is a profound, inescapable need for animals among all peoples, for while animals have inhabited the world without people, we have never lived without the companionship, or practical help of animals.

Today, the rapid expansion of cities and the destruction of wilderness habitat, we are seeing an imminent and irreversible loss of untamed animal life. We can only guess at the future effect on our children of living in a world where the remaining forests are silent. The fact that so many of us are increasingly isolated from the presence of animals may contribute to the growing despair we feel. Without encounters with animals, we risk losing that part of ourselves which most deeply resonates with nature, the heart of compassion.

When will we stop the murder of innocent forest animals, because of our ignorance?