In the West Kootenay region, a third grizzly bear from a prominent family of four has been euthanized. The mother bear and her three yearlings were a common sight in Nelson, drawing attention as they roamed the area. Wildlife authorities deemed them a threat due to their habituation to humans and their scavenging behavior in yards and garbage.
Earlier this month, the mother bear, previously relocated but returned, was put down along with one of the yearlings deemed unsuitable for relocation due to its physical condition. Another yearling displayed a noticeable limp and was relocated, only to reappear in Christina Lake. While the female yearling has moved on, the male continued to frequent residential areas and was considered unsuitable for further relocation attempts.
Provincial wildlife biologist Garth Mowat noted the bears’ strong habituation to human presence, indicating a history of consuming human food. The relocation was a final effort to encourage the bears to return to natural food sources. Andrew Milne of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service emphasized that euthanizing bears is a measure of last resort, acknowledging the emotional toll it takes on conservation officers.
Mowat highlighted the impact of drought conditions in the B.C. Interior on berry crops, leading more bears to seek food in urban areas. Officials urge residents to eliminate potential attractants like fruit trees, garbage, and bird feeders to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.