A mother bear has been killed in Golden Ears Provincial Park, and her two cubs taken to Critter Care Wildlife Sanctuary in Langley.
The BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) confirmed officers put the bear down late Thursday, May 28, after being asked to assist BC Parks with the “aggressive sow black bear.”
Conservation officers killed the bear to ensure public safety, after multiple reports of conflict in the park, said the BCCOS. The bear had an extensive conflict history in the park and displayed behaviour that showed no fear of people, including:
• Breaking into numerous vehicles to access food, causing significant damage.
• Entering a tent and multiple campsites for food.
• A repeated presence at campgrounds during daytime hours, with people nearby.
“We recognize this incident and response may be distressing for people. Dispatching any bear is not the outcome we want,” said Insp. Simon Gravel.
“This bear learned to associate people with food, and its behaviour was escalating. All options were exhausted and unfortunately, dispatching was the only outcome to keep people safe.”
Her two black bear cubs, also captured on Thursday, were tranquilized and assessed. In consultation with provincial wildlife biologists with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the cubs were transported to Critter Care, which is considered an authorized rearing facility. The plan is for them to be raised to maturity, and released back into the wild.
There was significant outcry about the killing of the bear online. Krissy Whitlock of Maple Ridge Black Bear Society lamented “another sad outcome for bears in Maple Ridge.”
“Every year this happens at Golden Ears park. Bears are killed due to human inaction…” she said. “When will BC Parks and the Minister of Environment take bylaws and its own COS enforcement seriously, and ticket campers who cannot follow simple bear regulations?”
She is calling for more enforcement and fines for campers who leave food and other attractants available to wildlife in BC Parks.
The BCCOS is working with BC Parks to address bear activity in Golden Ears park, they said in a statement. Bear activity will continue to be monitored in the area, and officers will assist BC Parks as necessary to ensure public safety.