California Legislators Propose Mandatory Wildlife Coexistence Program Following Public Outcry Over Euthanized Monrovia Mother Bear

State lawmakers consider a new Wildlife Coexistence Program following public outrage over the euthanization of a mother bear in Monrovia.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 9:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from LA Times

The Legislative Response to a Viral Wildlife Tragedy

The death of a mother bear in Monrovia has become the catalyst for a significant shift in California’s approach to wildlife management. After a bear known as Blondie was euthanized by the Department of Fish and Wildlife following a physical encounter with a resident, thousands of citizens signed petitions demanding more humane alternatives to lethal force. In response, State Senator Catherine Blakespear introduced Senate Bill 1135, which aims to move the state away from reactive culling and toward a model of preventative, nonlethal coexistence.

Structural Framework of the Wildlife Coexistence Program

The proposed legislation would mandate the creation of a formal Wildlife Coexistence Program within the state’s existing wildlife department. Under this framework, the state would provide technical assistance, public education, and a statewide incident reporting system to help communities manage predators without violence. According to Senator Blakespear, the goal is to provide residents with effective tools, such as noise machines, specialized light deterrents, and physical barriers, to prevent encounters from escalating into dangerous or fatal confrontations.

Reforming Compensation for the Agricultural Sector

A major component of the bill involves restructuring how the state interacts with the ranching community, particularly regarding wolf populations. The legislation would rename and update the state’s reimbursement program to the Wolf-Livestock Coexistence and Compensation Program. A key change would require ranchers to prove they have utilized department approved nonlethal deterrents before receiving financial compensation for livestock lost to predators. This shift is intended to incentivize proactive herd protection rather than relying on lethal retaliation after a loss has occurred.