A few weeks ago, I reported to you the case of captive bears kept in concrete pits at roadside zoos in North Carolina. These zoos are on Cherokee Nation lands. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were not allowed to hand out information or talk about the terrible conditions that exist on Cherokee property. That is odd because the Cherokee constitution says, "No Indian tribe in exercising powers of self-government shall make or enforce any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition for a redress of grievances." 25 U.S. Code Section 1302.

Bob Barker, the wonderful animal advocate and TV star, tried to talk to the chief, but was ignored. Apparently he did not show some fake proper respect. Respect! You don't deserve respect if you would permit wild animals or any creature to be treated this way. Let me quote two letters from tourists who were eyewitnesses rather than just news from me. Stacy Solano was kind enough to send me this:

Dear Lucy,

I would love to help you with your article in any way. I think it's great you are getting the word out and speaking for the animals. This is not a zoo you take your family to visit. It's unbelievable they get away with this! We went on a hot day in the summer and the bears were panting, no water, and no shade to cover up under. I am not sure if you have been to this zoo, but if not I can give you any information from what I witnessed being there. I am here to answer any questions and you can post whatever you would like to your article.

Stacy

And from England comes a letter by John Botley:

Dear Lucy, I am from England and was recently travelling around North Carolina and the surrounding Smokey Mountains area. I thought that the mountains were absolutely beautiful and the scenery spectacular. I was hoping to see some wildlife and in particular the bears, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to study them in a controlled environment when I came across the bear zoo in Cherokee. When I paid my $5 and observed these poor creatures in such appalling conditions, I realized that I was subscribing to a cruel and miserable spectacle. The bears are kept in tiny pits with virtually no stimulation save a lump of apple that is humiliatingly tossed at them by visitors, who, I might add, were equally disgusted at the conditions. As I walked around this heartbreaking freak show I heard person after person comment on the cruelty displayed. The children in particular seemed to understand the plight of these animals and obviously empathized with their imprisonment in their conversations with parents and adults. I did not hear one positive comment about the place. I know for a fact that there have been many attempts to shut this side show down, and the other zoo. To continue is a disgrace to the Cherokees, the town and humanity in general.

John Botley, West Sussex, England

I also have another source who is a Native American and who shall remain nameless. She wrote:

You will also learn about the unfortunate demise of two cubs at the hands of an employee at one of the tourist traps. The abuse is ongoing, it is heartbreaking, and I hate to say it but likely it will continue.

Our hands are tied because honestly we have no recourse. The chief and the majority of tribal council simply don't care. CTAs, media attention and threats of boycotts did not change their mind. They just don't care. Not about animals, not about tribal members, not about anyone but themselves. This goes beyond the greed that has been insinuated in the media. This is downright heartless, compassionless behavior. And it's not just the bears, this is how our elders and children are regarded by those in charge as well.

I, for one, would never visit such an 'attraction' ever again and would encourage others not to do so as well. These animals need to be either rehoused and treated properly or released, if this is at all possible. These people could put a stop to this animal abuse right now, so why haven't they? I do not believe that honorable Native Americans would ever treat any creature this way. It is not in their religion, nor their culture. Non-Native Americans own these zoos, so again, why haven't the police pressed charges? I have been writing to a private source who told me she has seen this go on since she was a child and is now middle-aged. This is a crime and a shameful, shameful way to make money or to behave. I will not rest until the way these bears are kept is changed or hopefully the zoos will close.

I have contacted the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture and found the laws. I also want to know how it is legal to own a grizzly bear and bear cub. That means they must have been transported across state lines. The Animal Health and Inspection laws state that an exhibitor must have a license, be inspected, and only exhibit animals in a way that cares for their health and well-being. Do the letters sound as if that is being done? If you would like to see the conditions, go to easternband.com, the unofficial website.

From Wikipedia: "The current range of the grizzly bear extends from Alaska, south through much of western Canada, and into portions of the northwestern United States including Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming, extending as far south as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, but is most commonly found in Canada. Grizzlies are normally solitary active animals, but in coastal areas the grizzly congregates alongside streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds during the salmon spawn."

I could really use your help in writing to these people and to promising to boycott the zoos, Harrah Casino (which is on the same property), The Great Smokey Mountains, and North Carolina until the animals are freed, sent to wildlife protective areas, or rehoused and inspected monthly.

I would like to thank Debbie Leary from PETA for brainstorming about this with me. The organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had this story on their website that caught my attention in the first place. I would like to know why The Humane Society of the United States has never mentioned this outrage.