Samson

Re “Getting Out Alive, Bearly,” Sept. 20:

Humans can be so arrogant and pompous. To remove a bear from his natural environment (that we have encroached on), from his family and happy life, file down his teeth, which there can be no possible justification for, and oh yes, “thank you,” not destroy him, seems completely absurd.

To the people or person who had Samson removed--you live in an area where regular sightings of wild animals occur. I understand that you are concerned about your and your family’s safety. If that is the case, then possibly you should think about living somewhere else. If that is not an option, then maybe you could put together a “neighborhood wildlife awareness program” for people, children, etc., on how to be careful and cautious of curious or possibly dangerous wild animals.

It is natural for humans and animals to be curious about their environments. However, the way to solving this problem of people encroaching on animals is not by simply removing the animal from his or her home. Maybe we should be educating people on how to live more harmoniously with wild animals in our overpopulated world.

MARGANNE TOWN

Los Angeles