Yellowstone Bear World, a popular Idaho bear park, is under fire for allegedly misleading visitors about its operations and mistreating its animals.
The park, known for allowing visitors to bottle-feed bear cubs, is accused by campaigners of falsely presenting itself as a conservation charity while operating as a commercial venture.
According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Yellowstone Bear World is not a genuine wildlife sanctuary, as claimed, but rather a facility that breeds and exploits animals for commercial purposes.
PETA has filed a complaint urging the state’s attorney general to investigate potential breaches of consumer protection laws.
The park, located near Rexburg and drawing millions of tourists annually, boasts a vast array of wildlife, including Grizzly and Black bears, elk, bison, moose, and deer.
However, PETA alleges that Yellowstone Bear World routinely misleads visitors into believing that its animals are cared for throughout their lives, while in reality, many are sold to other facilities.
PETA’s complaint cites instances where the park allegedly provided false information to visitors about the status and whereabouts of its bears.
Despite claims of lifelong care for all animals, the US Department of Agriculture records indicate that over 100 bears have been transferred to other facilities since 2012, with some ultimately ending up in slaughterhouses.
Critics argue that the park’s practice of allowing visitors to feed bear cubs goes against the natural behavior of these animals, separating them from their mothers prematurely and exposing them to undue stress and human interaction.
Despite previous legal actions and protests organized by PETA, Idaho I recently abolished state oversight of private zoos and animal parks, a move seen by some as responding to pressure from Yellowstone Bear World.
The park’s lobbyist, Charlotte Cunnington, emphasized the necessity of such legislation to protect the park’s operations from ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges.
As the controversy unfolds, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador has yet to respond to PETA’s complaint, leaving the future of Yellowstone Bear World uncertain.
Read More Bear News