UPDATE:
- The B.C. Conservation Officer Service announced on August 14 that they euthanized the mother grizzly bear to ensure public safety due to the animal’s food-conditioned behavior and lack of fear towards humans.
- The two remaining yearlings were relocated to an undisclosed location for continued monitoring.
- CBC News reached out for an interview with the service, but no one was available.
A demonstration occurred in Nelson, B.C., protesting the decision by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to put down a young grizzly bear.
The bear was part of one of the two grizzly families frequently spotted in and around Nelson.
Katie Graves, the founder of the nonprofit Ursa Project Society, described the rally as emotional, with many tears and hugs shared among participants.
Graves argued that the yearling grizzly, despite a leg issue, was mobile, kept pace with its family, and was capable of feeding itself.
She pointed out that many bears in the wild live with similar challenges and lead fulfilling lives.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) stated in a released statement that the bear’s age, injury, and history of conflicts made it unfit for rehabilitation or relocation, without specifying the nature of these conflicts.
“It is regrettable when an injured, sick, or conflict bear needs to be euthanized in a safe and humane manner,” the BCCOS remarked. “These decisions are not taken lightly.”
Graves mentioned that the mother bear had previously brought cubs to the area in 2023, was relocated, and returned shortly after.
The Conservation Service has not responded to inquiries regarding the status of the other grizzlies – a sow and two yearlings – but stated that any captured bear would be evaluated for next steps.
The incident has generated numerous comments in local Facebook groups, mostly criticizing the decision to euthanize the young grizzly.
Many individuals acknowledged the conservation officers’ duty to protect the public and expressed the need for better measures to secure garbage and maintain distance from bears.
