Target: V. Sreenivasa Rao, Chief Wildlife Warden, Chhattisgarh, India
Goal: Ensure those who fed a wild bear a sugary bottled drink for a social-media video are identified and, if evidence supports it, appropriately charged and required to complete meaningful wildlife-safety education and community service that deters future harm.
A viral clip shows a man placing a sweet bottled beverage in front of a wild bear and filming as the animal drinks from it. The stunt, recorded to make a reel, has sparked outrage and fear that copycat content could follow. Local reports indicate forest officials are trying to identify the individual seen in the video, which was said to be filmed in a rural area.
Experts warn that such interference can condition bears to associate people with food, increasing the risk of future conflict killings. Sugary drinks can also cause acute gastrointestinal distress and dehydration in wildlife. Beyond the immediate welfare issues, enticing a free-ranging bear to approach humans violates core principles of coexistence and may constitute unlawful disturbance under applicable wildlife protections.
Safeguarding wildlife requires swift and visible consequences when animals are exploited for views. This case offers a clear opportunity to reinforce the message that baiting or feeding wild animals for content is unacceptable. Sign below to demand responsible authorities promptly investigate, and—if the facts are substantiated—pursue appropriate penalties alongside mandatory education and outreach that warn the public against similar conduct.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Warden Rao,
A widely shared video shows a man enticing a wild bear to drink a sweet bottled beverage while the moment is filmed for social media. This baiting puts the animal at risk, encourages dangerous habituation, and sends a harmful message that using wildlife as props is acceptable.
Such conduct undermines public safety and animal welfare. Conditioning bears to approach people and human food can set the stage for future conflict and lethal outcomes. It also disregards the duty to minimize human interference with wild fauna.
We respectfully urge your office to complete a thorough investigation to identify everyone involved. If evidence supports it, please file all appropriate charges under applicable provisions, along with meaningful, deterrent penalties. We further ask that you require any proven offenders to complete wildlife-safety education, perform supervised community service that benefits conservation, and refrain from entering sensitive habitats for an appropriate period. Finally, please consider a public awareness campaign reminding residents that feeding or baiting wildlife—even for “harmless” videos—can cause serious harm.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Siddhesh S Nimkar
