Five black bear cubs near Williams Lake orphaned after mother shot, killed illegally
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Conservation officers who visited the site found the mother bear and confirmed it had been shot and killed. The cubs had moved, though two of the five have since been located and captured, and efforts continue to catch the rest
The five cubs will be sent to Northern Lights Wildlife Society where they will be cared for and rehabilitated.
B.C.'s Wildlife Act notes that it is illegal to shoot a bear with cubs, or any black bear less than two years old.
'This is an unfortunate situation. It is not every day that you see a black bear successfully rear five cubs at the same time,' said Jeremy Pauls with the Conservation Officer Service.
'The COS is investigating and trying to determine who was involved in the killing of this sow black bear. We are asking for the public's help.'
Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact the Conservation Officer Service through its poacher hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
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Five black bear cubs near Williams Lake orphaned after mother shot, killed illegally
Article content Conservation officers who visited the site found the mother bear and confirmed it had been shot and killed. The cubs had moved, though two of the five have since been located and captured, and efforts continue to catch the rest The five cubs will be sent to Northern Lights Wildlife Society where they will be cared for and rehabilitated. B.C.'s Wildlife Act notes that it is illegal to shoot a bear with cubs, or any black bear less than two years old. 'This is an unfortunate situation. It is not every day that you see a black bear successfully rear five cubs at the same time,' said Jeremy Pauls with the Conservation Officer Service. 'The COS is investigating and trying to determine who was involved in the killing of this sow black bear. We are asking for the public's help.' Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact the Conservation Officer Service through its poacher hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
CBC
31-05-2025
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5 bear cubs orphaned in B.C. after mother illegally killed
British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service says an investigation is underway to find the person who illegally shot and killed a female black bear near Williams Lake, B.C., leaving behind five cubs. Conservation officers say the incident took place between May 24 and 25 near the community of Big Lake, northeast of Williams Lake. The agency said it received the report on May 26 after a passing motorist saw a black bear carcass and cubs. The cubs are in the process of being captured for rehabilitation at Northern Lights Wildlife Society in Smithers, B.C. which said it managed to capture two right away and later a third. It is still hoping to locate the fourth and fifth. Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to shoot a sow with cubs, or any black bear younger than two years old. Conservation officer Jeremy Pauls said in the statement that it's "an unfortunate situation" because it's "not every day that a black bear is seen successfully raising five cubs at the same time." Paul said the conservation officers are investigating and asking the public for help.
