Another Event Puts Question to Zoos: In Norway, Bears Escape from Zoo and are Killed

Two points here:

One, the unnatural nature of putting bears behind bars.

Two, the idocy of defaulting to killing when any issue arises.

Article:

Animal Rights Association Questions Bear killings

http://www.norwaypost.no/cgi-bin/norwaypost/imaker?id=101976

The Animal Rights Association, NOAH, might report the zoo that has shot and killed three bears in three weeks to the police.The 11-year-old female bear and her two cubs escaped from the zoo in Grong last Monday. Today they were found – and killed.

The police officer in Grong, Herolv Nordaunet, said that the only right thing to do was to shoot the bears, and that they followed all safety guidelines and precautions.

Spokesperson Siri Martinsen from NOAH said that they are very upset that the bears could escape so easily. Not long ago, two young wolves also escaped and were shot and killed shortly after.

“These animal ethics are not acceptable,” Martinsen said.
Manager of the zoo, Randi Dille, said that she will look closer into what went on after the animals escaped.

Troy Lee Gentry, of the Country Singing Duo Montgomery Gentry, Sentenced to Three Months Probation and $15,000 Fine for Killing a Captive Black Bear

How cowardly is this? Pay for a captive bear to kill. That’s just plain weak and even hunters would agree that this constitutes unethical behavior on all levels.

Article:

Singer Gentry sentenced in bear killing

http://www.insidebayarea.com/celebrities/ci_5323546

Associated Press

DULUTH, Minn. - Troy Lee Gentry, of the country singing duo Montgomery Gentry, has been sentenced to three months of probation and a $15,000 fine for killing a captive black bear. He also must give up hunting in Minnesota for five years.

Gentry pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in November. Under a plea deal, he agreed to forfeit the bear and the bow he used during the hunt near Sandstone. The 600-pound bear has been part of a taxidermy display at Gentry's home in Tennessee. He was sentenced Friday.

The bear was killed in October 2004 at the 80-acre Minnesota Wildlife Connection. Owner Lee Marvin Greenly sold the bear for $4,650 and orchestrated the hunt, which Gentry videotaped and edited to make it appear the bear had been killed in a fair chase hunt, according to authorities.

Montgomery Gentry, which includes co-singer Eddie Montgomery, are known for hits such as "My Town" and "If You Ever Stop Loving Me."