The former community coordinator of Wildsafe B.C. Nelson is advocating for changes following what she describes as “numerous failures on multiple levels” that resulted in the death of a grizzly sow and two of her three yearlings this month. Lisa Thomson expressed her deep sadness over the situation and announced her resignation from the position in response to the bear killings.
The four bears had garnered attention as they roamed around the Nelson area. The mother bear was euthanized after being relocated but returning to the West Kootenay community. One of the yearlings was put down by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) due to being unsuitable for relocation because of its age and health issues. Another yearling met the same fate after it was relocated but was found near Christina Lake scavenging through garbage.
Andrew Milne, deputy chief of the BCCOS, explained that the decision to euthanize the bears was made as they were consistently approaching humans, showing no fear, and seeking non-natural food sources, posing a risk to public safety.
Thomson expressed her struggle in accepting the necessity of terminating the bears, emphasizing that the animals had frequented the Nelson area attracted by feral fruit trees. She stressed that the issue cannot be solely addressed by relocating bears and called for collaborative efforts among residents, municipalities, and businesses to implement bear-smart practices in communities.
Drawing attention to successful initiatives in Canmore and Banff, Alberta, where centralized, animal-proof trash bins have replaced individual curbside bins, Thomson suggested similar actions to mitigate human-bear conflicts. She urged residents to be vigilant in preventing wildlife attractants and avoiding habituating bears to human environments.
Thomson debunked misconceptions linking Wildsafe B.C. with the BCCOS, clarifying that the organization, although receiving some funding from the government and local authorities, is a non-profit entity focused on public education rather than enforcement.
The fourth and last yearling of the grizzly sow was relocated and is currently under monitoring after briefly appearing near Christina Lake before moving on to a different location.