A family of black bears was tragically shot and killed near a northeastern Pennsylvania airport in October. This didn't need to happen.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission says a mother bear and her three 2-year-old cubs crossed the perimeter fence of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport on October 20. Barry Centini, the airport director, said the animals were spotted by a helicopter pilot, and maintenance personnel then shot and killed them a few hundred yards east of a runway. Centini called the action "unfortunate," but stressed the need to protect pilots and passengers. Bill Williams of the commission's northeast region said the airport has permits to shoot animals posing a safety risk, and his agency was notified about the action the same day.
Why were these animals so cruelly killed instead of being tranquillized and relocated? The Pennsylvania Game Commission needs to change their policy on how they handle animals! Humans are the ones who are encroaching on their land. We need to learn to live in harmony with animals - killing them is not the answer. Sign and share the petition, declaring you believe that the bears should have been relocated and a new policy is needed for next time!
