Lawsuit Filed Against USDA for Granting Animal Welfare Act License to Repeat Offender Yellowstone Bear World

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has recently taken legal action against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for issuing an exhibitor’s license to Yellowstone Bear World, a drive-thru facility in Idaho with a long history of violating state and federal laws. The lawsuit alleges that Yellowstone Bear World has been exploiting black bear cubs for 25 years by allowing the public to bottle-feed and handle these vulnerable animals, causing them severe behavioral distress and harm. These inhumane practices not only violate the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) but also threaten the well-being of the bears and their mothers.

Despite numerous citations and violations, Yellowstone Bear World has continued to operate in defiance of the law. The facility has been cited for allowing the public to have contact with dangerous animals, including bears over 12 weeks old, which is prohibited under USDA regulations. Additionally, the facility has violated state wildlife laws, including Idaho’s prohibition on public feeding of wildlife. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has issued notices of violation to Yellowstone Bear World for its bottle-feeding program and other infractions.

ALDF Senior Staff Attorney Caitlin Foley emphasizes the importance of enforcing laws and conducting comprehensive inspections to ensure the safety and well-being of animals held at facilities like Yellowstone Bear World. The AWA requires exhibitors to demonstrate compliance with USDA standards before obtaining a license, yet Yellowstone Bear World has been able to operate for years without meeting these requirements. The USDA’s recent adoption of a new licensing regime, which includes more stringent inspection requirements, is a step in the right direction but still falls short in adequately addressing violations.

Despite recent inspections by the USDA, Yellowstone Bear World has managed to evade consequences for its cruel practices. The facility’s website openly promotes its bottle-feeding experience and the premature separation of bear cubs from their mothers, practices that clearly violate AWA regulations and Idaho law. Even after receiving serious violations from OSHA and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Yellowstone Bear World was able to pass a USDA inspection without any noncompliant items being identified.

ALDF, represented by Gibson Dunn, is committed to holding Yellowstone Bear World and other facilities accountable for their mistreatment of animals. By challenging the USDA’s lax enforcement of animal welfare laws, ALDF aims to protect vulnerable animals from exploitation and harm. It is crucial that regulatory agencies like the USDA conduct thorough inspections and enforce existing laws to ensure the well-being of animals in captivity.