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CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Grizzly on B.C. island shot dead, conservation officers investigating
A grizzly bear is seen fishing along a river in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola, B.C. Friday, Sept 10, 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service is investigating after a grizzly bear that had stalked Texada Island for more than a month was found shot dead on Tuesday. The agency says a necropsy will be performed on the tagged bear, which had divided residents of the B.C. Gulf Island and prompted public safety warnings ever since it swam over from the mainland in late May. Conservation officers travelled to the island earlier this week after the RCMP reported the bear had been shot and potentially wounded near the community of Van Anda, where the animal was eventually found. The provincial government said last month there were no orders in place to kill the bear, but said relocating the bear for a third time was not in the public's interest. 'This bear is not new to us,' Environment Minister Tamara Davidson and Land, Water and Resource Stewardship Minister Randene Neill said in a joint statement on June 13. '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.' The conservation service says it relocated the bear from Gibsons in the first week of September and from Sechelt at the end of that month, and on both occasions it returned to urban areas of the Sunshine Coast within weeks. Before swimming to the island, the bear spent several days in Powell River, breaking into boats and marinas, the conservation office said. On May 22, the grizzly stalked two people walking along a Powell River trail, and they only escaped by getting in the water for 30 minutes while the animal circled back and forth on the shore, where it tore up one of their jackets before leaving. Since its arrival on Texada Island, home to approximately 1,100 people, the bear had chased livestock and showed aggression towards people, according to the province. 'These are difficult decisions, but again, people's safety is always the top priority,' the ministers said. '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.' The conservation service had urged people on Texada Island to take precautions such as minimizing food attractants, carrying bear spray and travelling in groups to avoid unwanted encounters with the bear. B.C. banned grizzly bear hunting in 2017, with the exception of hunting for food, social and ceremonial purposes by First Nations. At the time, the province estimated there were 15,000 grizzlies in B.C.
CTV News
15-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Grizzly bear on Texada Island has history of ‘aggressive behaviour and property damage': BCCOS
In this file photo, a grizzly bear is seen fishing for salmon along the Atnarko river in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola, B.C. Saturday, Sept 11, 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) Conservation officers have provided more information about a grizzly bear that swam to a Gulf Island last month – saying its history includes breaking into boats and stalking people. The bear was first spotted on Texada Island on May 27, prompting a warning to residents from the qathet Regional District about the danger of bears becoming habituated to humans. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service provided an update on the grizzly Friday, outlining past incidents and previous attempts at relocation. In September of 2024, the bear was relocated from Gibsons after it was spotted 'roaming around' a local school and downtown streets. It was moved to a 'remote coastal habitat' on Jervis Inlet, according to the BCCOS. Twelve days later, the bear had returned to the more populous urban area of the Sunshine Coast and was spotted in Sechelt. Once again, it was relocated to the 'far end' of Jervis Inlet, the service said. In May of this year the bear spent time in Powell River where several concerning incidents were reported, including the bear breaking into boats at the marina in search of bait. 'The bear displayed aggressive behavior by stalking two residents while walking on a trail,' the BCCOS said, describing another troubling encounter. '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.' Since arriving on Texada Island in late May, the bear has 'stalked a resident walking home with her horse and dog for half a kilometer' and was spotted 'chasing livestock.' Conservation officers are not actively trying to trap the bear but they are poised to respond to reports of additional encounters. '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,' the update form the service said. 'Bears that no longer fear people are not candidates for relocation or rehabilitation, due to the risk to public safety. These are difficult decisions, but people's safety is always the top priority. Conservation officers 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.' According to publicly available statistics, calls to the BCCOS about grizzlies are rare. The service received 31 calls between 2011 and 2024 and four grizzly bears have been killed in that time period– none by conservation officers.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Grizzly seen ‘chasing livestock' on B.C. Gulf Island
In this file photo, a grizzly bear is seen fishing for salmon along the Atnarko river in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola, B.C. Saturday, Sept 11, 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) Conservation officers have been called to Texada Island after a grizzly bear was seen 'chasing livestock' Tuesday. The agency shared the news in a social media post, saying the incident was reported in the Crescent Bay Road area. '(Conservation officers) will conduct an investigation at the site to determine any next steps, if warranted,' the Facebook post said, adding that residents are urged to 'take precautions to avoid conflicts.' Two weeks ago, officials with the qathet Regional District said an adult male grizzly was seen on the island, having swam over from the mainland. In a public notice people were urged to be vigilant in preventing the bear from accessing human food. 'This is critical to avoid the bear becoming habituated to local communities,' the district's notice said. Anyone who sees the grizzly on the island is being asked to call 1-877-952-7277
