On Thursday after a tense standoff with Lake Tahoe neighbors defending her, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said they will monitor the mama bear instead of killing her.
SeaWorld is making a major change that's being celebrated by many animal activists.
Those convicted of animal cruelty will face federal felony charges, fines and up to seven years in prison.
A bill making animal cruelty a federal offense has passed the Senate and is now on its way to President Donald Trump.
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill Tuesday afternoon which expands on a 2010 law and makes certain types of animal cruelty a federal felony.
A horse died of a suspected heart attack Saturday at Santa Anita, marking the 33rd such death at the Arcadia racetrack since December.