Two provincial cabinet ministers have released a statement regarding the Texada Island grizzly bear, outlining that this bear has been a problem animal, and that public safety is important.
Randene Neill, minister of water, land and resource stewardship, and Tamara Davidson, minister of environment and parks, made the following statement:
“In recent weeks, a grizzly bear has been sighted on Texada Island, displaying aggressive behaviour to both people and livestock. We know people are concerned, both for public safety and the welfare of the bear. The Conservation Officer Service (COS) has attended Texada and continues to monitor the situation. The province is also talking with our partners, including First Nations and the Grizzly Bear Foundation.
“This bear is not new to us – the COS and provincial wildlife biologists worked together to relocate the bear twice last year, as it was initially found wandering near schools and downtown areas in Gibsons and Sechelt. As part of extensive efforts to avoid conflict with people, the bear was first relocated to Vancouver Bay in Jervis Inlet, and later tagged and relocated to the far end of Jervis Inlet. On both occasions, despite the relocation of more than 75 kilometres, the grizzly bear returned to communities along the Sunshine Coast within weeks.
“We want to be very clear: there is no kill order on this bear. However, it is also our responsibility to keep people safe and if further behaviour by the grizzly bear occurs that threatens public safety, conservation officers will respond to those situations. These are difficult decisions, but again, people’s safety is always the top priority. It is our hope that it will not come to this, and the bear will move on independently. While we continue to collaborate closely with our partners, including First Nations and the Grizzly Bear Foundation, the final decision regarding wildlife management is made in accordance with provincial policies to ensure public safety.
“While the province will relocate bears if circumstances allow, in this case, it would not be in the interest of public safety to relocate the bear a third time. Bears that are aggressive toward people, considered dangerous to the public or are human-food conditioned, are not candidates for relocation, due to the risk to public safety. Sightings of this grizzly bear should be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1.877.952.7277.
“We understand people in 小蓝视频 care for the welfare of our wild animals – that is part of what makes our province such a great place to live. 小蓝视频 is one of the last places in North America where grizzly bears still live across most of their historic range, and we are fortunate to have them. We are doing our very best to ensure grizzly bears continue to endure and thrive in our province.
“We all have a role to play in keeping bears safe, especially in rural and remote communities. The province is taking extensive action to minimize the risks that conflicts with wildlife pose to public safety and property, including through enforcement efforts, community outreach, attending municipal meetings and promoting WildSafe programs and bear smart communities. These initiatives help educate the public on attractant management, which can help prevent human-wildlife conflicts and the death of bears.
“Residents are asked to ensure attractants, such as garbage, are securely stored, and to take precautions in case of wildlife encounters. Resources and safety tips can be found at wildsafe小蓝视频.com.”
The Conservation Officer Service also provided some information.
The COS stated that due to the high level of conflict history that has impacted public safety – including complaints of public encounters, aggressive behaviour and property damage – this bear is not a candidate for relocation.
Recently, the bear spent several days in the Powell River area, breaking into fishing boats at marinas to access bait, according to the COS. Additional conflicts, according to the COS, include: On May 22, south of Powell River, the bear displayed aggressive behaviour by stalking two residents while walking on a trail. The people escaped by entering and remaining in the water for half an hour while the bear remained on shore, circling back and forth. The grizzly bear tore up one of their jackets on shore before leaving.
The COS stated that on May 28, on Texada, the grizzly bear stalked a resident walking home with her horse and dog for half a kilometre. Multiple sightings of the grizzly bear, including near a school, store and farms, were also reported on the island.
Traps were set after these incidents, but were pulled several days later as the grizzly bear had moved locations and the COS did not want to inadvertently capture an unrelated bear, according to the COS.
On June 10 and 11, on Texada, conservation officers responded to a complaint of a grizzly bear chasing livestock. The COS investigation determined no livestock were attacked and conflict prevention advice was provided to residents.
qathet Regional District's Electoral Area D (Texada) director during a recent qRD board meeting. Yesterday, the Peak interviewed a professional guide and bear advocate .
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