Latest news with #TamaraDavidson
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
6 days ago
- CTV News
Conservation officers investigating report that grizzly on B.C. island was shot
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 says it is investigating a report from the RCMP that a grizzly bear that has stalked Texada Island for more than a month has been shot and possibly wounded. The bear has 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 arrived on the island Monday to locate the bear and investigate the reported shooting. Cpl. Alex Bérubé with the Island District RCMP confirmed to CTV News the bear 'appears to have been shot' but provided no further details Tuesday. 'At this time, the COS cannot confirm a bear was shot or wounded,' the conservation service said in a statement. 'The bear has not been located.' 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 has 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 urges people on Texada Island to take precautions such as minimizing food attractants, carrying bear spray and travelling in groups to avoid unwanted bear encounters. With files from The Canadian Press
CTV News
26-05-2025
- CTV News
Joffre Lakes Park facing temporary closures over the summer
B.C.'s Joffre Lakes Park is facing another two rounds of closures in June and August to allow for local First Nations to reconnect to their land and culture in private, according to the Lil'wat Nation. The park, also known as Pipi7íyekw, will be closed between June 13 and 27 and between August 22 and Oct. 23 to allow for spiritual and cultural activities such as hunting, fishing, harvesting medicines, a statement from the nation said. It comes after an initial closure that spanned the first three weeks of May. During which, Environment Minister Tamara Davidson was invited to the park to witness firsthand the benefits the break of visitors had on both the community and the land. According to the nation, Davidson and her team met with Lil'wat and N'Quatqua leadership at the park on May 16, where they hiked to the first lake and 'engaged in meaningful discussions about the future stewardship of the area.' 'Since 2023 Lil'wat and N'Quatqua Nations have established reconnection periods for Pipi7iyekw, during which the park is not open to the public, to allow time for their community members to practice Nt̓ákmen (meaning 'our way'),' the statement said. 'This means providing dedicated periods of time for their community members to reconnect to their land and culture, while also providing time for the land to rest from human impacts.' The nation said community members are getting to utilize areas where they were previously removed or denied access, and the reconnection is integral to the well-being of the two Nations' community members as they look for traditional methods to help cope with grief, addictions, suicide and mental health. A spokesperson from B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Parks said no firm dates for future temporary closures of the park have yet been agreed upon. The spokesperson said, however, that 'all agree it is important for people to have continued, predictable access' to the park and it is also important 'to give time and space for the land to rest, while ensuring the nations can use this space as they always have.' 'Maintaining a healthy park and supporting First Nations cultural practices are two sides of the same coin,' the spokesperson said. 'We have built a strong relationship with the Lil'wat and N'Quatqua to make sure the natural and cultural values of the park are protected. We continue to work with the Nations to ensure opportunities exist for people to access the park in a responsible and sustainable way.' The ministry said it will notify the public once an agreed schedule is confirmed.
