UPDATE:
- The B.C. Conservation Officer Service announced on August 14 that they euthanized the mother grizzly due to safety concerns, as the bear showed signs of being habituated to human food and lost fear of people.
- The two remaining yearlings were relocated to an undisclosed location for continued monitoring.
- CBC News reached out for an interview with the service but received no response.
A demonstration occurred in Nelson, B.C., on Thursday to oppose the decision made by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to put down a young grizzly bear.
The bear was part of a group of grizzlies whose movements around Nelson had garnered widespread attention.
Katie Graves, founder of the Ursa Project Society, described the rally as emotional, with tears and hugs among attendees.
Graves argued that the yearling grizzly, which had a leg injury or deformity, did not deserve to be killed, highlighting its mobility and ability to keep up with its family.
She noted that many bears in the wild lead normal lives despite physical challenges.
In a statement, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) stated that the bear’s age, injury, and history of conflicts made it unfit for rehabilitation or relocation, without specifying the nature of these conflicts.
The BCCOS emphasized the difficulty of decisions involving euthanizing injured or problematic wildlife.
Graves mentioned that the mother bear had been relocated in 2023 and returned to the area shortly after.
The fate of the other grizzlies — a sow and two yearlings — remains uncertain, with the Conservation Service promising to assess each captured bear individually.
The incident has stirred strong reactions on social media, with many expressing disapproval of the decision to euthanize the bear.
Community members acknowledged the conservation officers’ role in public safety but called for better management of attractants to prevent bear encounters.
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