The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has taken a significant step in the fight for animal welfare by filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on July 16, 2024. The lawsuit targets the issuance of an Animal Welfare Act (AWA) exhibitor’s license to Yellowstone Bear World, a drive-thru facility in Idaho, despite the facility’s long history of violating federal and state laws.
For 25 years, Yellowstone Bear World has been exploiting black bear cubs by allowing members of the public to bottle-feed and handle these vulnerable animals, who have been prematurely separated from their mothers. This practice not only causes severe behavioral distress and harm to the cubs but also traumatizes both the mother bears and their offspring. Such inhumane treatment goes against the USDA’s regulations under the AWA, which mandate that animals should be handled in a manner that does not cause trauma, stress, harm, or discomfort.
Furthermore, Yellowstone Bear World has been cited for allowing the public to have contact with dangerous animals, including bears over 12 weeks old, which is a direct violation of USDA regulations. Despite these violations, the facility has continued to operate unchecked, even receiving serious violations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in February 2023.
In addition to federal violations, Yellowstone Bear World has also been operating in defiance of Idaho state law. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game issued a notice of violation to the facility for its public feeding of wildlife, including bottle-feeding of bears, which was outlawed under state law until recently.
The ALDF’s lawsuit against the USDA highlights the flaws in the agency’s licensing process, which previously allowed facilities like Yellowstone Bear World to renew their licenses annually without proper inspections. The new licensing regime, implemented in November 2020, requires facilities to demonstrate compliance with the AWA during inspections every three years. However, the USDA’s inspections have been criticized for being inadequate, as evidenced by the approval of Yellowstone Bear World’s license despite clear violations.
The importance of this legal action cannot be overstated. By challenging the USDA’s decision to license Yellowstone Bear World, the ALDF is advocating for the enforcement of federal and state laws that protect animals from exploitation and harm. It is crucial for regulatory agencies like the USDA to uphold their own regulations and ensure that only compliant facilities are licensed under the AWA.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to hold the USDA accountable for its failure to properly regulate facilities like Yellowstone Bear World. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle for animal welfare and the need for stricter enforcement of laws that protect animals from cruelty and exploitation.
