Monrovia Bear Euthanasia: Community Mourns ‘Blondie’ & Calls for Policy Change

MONROVIA, Calif. — Hundreds of residents gathered Saturday in Monrovia Library Park for a memorial walk honoring Blondie, a black bear euthanized earlier this week by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) after she swiped at a woman walking her dog. The walk, organized by the Adrenaline Run Club, drew over 100 participants who carried signs remembering the bear and calling for changes to state wildlife policy.

The incident that led to Blondie’s death occurred on March 14th, when she scratched the leg of a woman on Oakglade Drive. While the woman sustained only minor injuries, DNA testing subsequently linked Blondie to a similar incident in June 2025, where a man was clawed on his porch, according to reports. CDFW officials determined Blondie posed a public safety threat, a decision that sparked immediate backlash from the Monrovia City Council and community members.

More than 3,800 people signed a petition organized by Brian Gordon, urging the CDFW to consider alternatives to euthanasia, such as relocation or rehabilitation. Despite these efforts, the CDFW proceeded with the decision, citing the bear’s repeated encounters with humans and the potential danger to public safety. Dylan Feik, Monrovia City Manager, stated that the city had requested the bear and her two cubs be relocated to the Angeles National Forest, but the final decision rested with state wildlife officials.

“I am sorry to share the unfortunate news,” Feik wrote in a statement following Blondie’s euthanasia. “By the time we were able to speak with state officials involved in the decision-making, the decision to euthanize was already made.”

Blondie’s two cubs were captured along with her and are currently being cared for at a wildlife facility, where they will be prepared for eventual release back into the wild, the CDFW confirmed. The memorial walk on Saturday served as both a tribute to Blondie and a call for policy changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Participants expressed concerns about the CDFW’s handling of the situation and the lack of consideration given to alternative solutions. “I feel it’s unfortunate and I think it’s a tragedy,” said Monrovia resident Mike Janesin. “Blondie didn’t need to be euthanized.” Others echoed the sentiment that more time should have been taken to assess the situation, particularly given that Blondie had cubs.

Jacqui Malouf, a Monrovia resident, emphasized the need for community education and improved waste management practices to reduce human-bear interactions. “We need to do more than only walk today. We need to change how we obtain rid of our trash. We need to have community conversations about human-bear interactions so that this doesn’t happen again,” she said.

In a statement released Wednesday, the CDFW defended its decision, stating that protecting human life is its “foremost responsibility.” The department explained that euthanasia is used “only as a last resort when an animal poses a risk to public safety and cannot be safely returned to the wild.” CDFW officials also highlighted the importance of preventing future conflicts by securing potential food sources and shelter around homes, noting that mother bears teach their cubs foraging behaviors.

The CDFW statement further explained that relocation is often ineffective, as bears have strong spatial memory and frequently return to familiar areas. “Without humans taking steps to reduce attractants and access to urbanized shelter, the underlying issue remains,” the statement read.