Academy Award–winning actor and dedicated animal advocate Joaquin Phoenix partnered with PETA to send a powerful, urgent letter to Daniel DeLozier, owner of the Three Bears General Store in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Phoenix is calling on DeLozier to release two-year-old twin bears, River and Daisy, from the store’s roadside zoo and send them to a reputable sanctuary where they can finally experience the life they deserve.
The bears—who were purchased from a disreputable exotic animal dealer in Michigan—are currently confined to a barren concrete pit, where visitors toss food at them for entertainment. In the wild, bears their age would still be with their mother, learning critical survival skills and forming lifelong social bonds.
“It’s obvious that you care deeply about the people who visit your store, and I’m asking you to extend the same compassion to River and Daisy, who are currently suffering in an unnatural environment—which will likely result in illness and death,” writes Phoenix. Notably, one of the bears shares the same name as Phoenix’s son and late brother, River, adding a deeply personal dimension to his plea.
Bears are intelligent, curious animals who love to roam, climb, and forage. In nature, they use tools, play, and even engage in self-care—such as using rocks to exfoliate their fur. At Three Bears General Store, however, River and Daisy are forced to endure constant stress and deprivation as part of a tourist attraction.
PETA also released a new video featuring Phoenix’s letter alongside recent footage of the bears in captivity. The video will be promoted throughout Pigeon Forge to raise awareness and pressure the facility to act.
Last year, PETA named the Three Bears General Store its “Grinch of the Year” for continuing to exploit animals for entertainment. The organization reminds the public that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.”
Please join PETA and Joaquin Phoenix in urging Three Bears General Store to close their cruel bear pit. River and Daisy deserve to be sent to an accredited sanctuary where they will receive the space and high-quality care that they need and deserve. SIGN HERE!
Below is Phoenix’s full letter to DeLozier:
Dear Mr. DeLozier,
In the spirit of your core values at Three Bears, where everyone is treated like family, I’m asking you to reconsider your decision to exhibit live bears in a concrete enclosure at your store, and instead, send River and Daisy to an accredited sanctuary. This would allow them to experience the joy of their natural way of life, where they could roam freely across vast distances, socialize with other bears, forage, play, and hibernate—all of which are necessary for their well-being. It’s obvious that you care deeply about the people who visit your store, and I’m asking you to extend the same compassion to River and Daisy, who are currently suffering in an unnatural environment—which will likely result in illness and death. Giving River and Daisy this new lease on life would be an incredible way to honor the store’s namesake, as well as your legacy.
Are you willing to do what’s best for River and Daisy, and send them to a sanctuary?
Sincerely,
Joaquin Phoenix
