Latest news with #qathetRegionalDistrict
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
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Group of Rogue Canadians Are Trying to Relocate a Problem Grizzly Against the Government's Wishes
A large male grizzly bear swam to British Columbia's Texada Island last month. The bear's ear tag identifies it as a problem bear, and locals are worried that officials will come and euthanize it. Now concerned residents are attempting to interrupt the bear's impromptu coastal getaway by crowd-sourcing the bear's one-way ticket off the island. The grizzly, which the islanders have nicknamed 'Tex,' showed up near Shehtekwahn Bay on May 25, likely swimming over from the Powell River area, according to a qathet Regional District social media post. Since then, Tex, who sports a yellow ear tag, has been roaming around and randomly making appearances. The bear was even spotted in a backyard on Saturday. While the bear showed no aggression, just having a grizzly on the 116-square-mile island is enough to keep folks on high alert. 'When I first heard about Tex, I didn't panic. I took simple precautions — securing garbage, making sure no pet food was left outside, and adjusting my routines,' Texada resident Katrin Glenn-Bittner wrote on Facebook. 'Living with wildlife is nothing new here in Canada, yet to Texada, who has been mostly predator-free, we need to be proactive now, and in the future.' Rather than wait for wildlife officials to take management action, a few islanders are taking matters into their own hands with a plan full of small-town grit. Glenn-Bittner, along with her partner Kelly Hughes and her brother David Bittner, a biologist and bear researcher from Switzerland, are spearheading a grassroots solution to raise enough funds to get Tex the Bear tranquilized, GPS-collared, and airlifted to a suitable wilderness area. The ambitious plan could cost up to $30,000, according to the organizers, who say the bear has already been relocated twice in the past by officials. 'He hasn't harmed anyone or caused serious trouble,' Glenn-Bittner wrote in her post. 'And he deserves a second chance.' But the province isn't on board. 'This plan is not sanctioned by the COS (Conservation Officer Service) or the province,' the Ministry of Environment and Parks said in a statement. Read Next: Mushroom Hunters Shoot and Kill a Grizzly That Charged Them in Montana According to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Tex's 'conflict history' means the bear is considered a threat, which puts it on the wrong side of BC's Human Wildlife Conflict Response Guidelines. Those guidelines call for lethal removal for bears that have damaged property, attacked pets or livestock, or show aggressive behavior toward people. For now, Tex remains at large. Locals are being asked to secure their garbage, keep pets close, and report any sightings of the bear.
Global News
27-05-2025
- General
- Global News
Warning issued after lone grizzly bear spotted on Texada Island
Officials are warning the public after a grizzly bear was seen on Texada Island. In a public notice posted Monday, the qathet Regional District said the adult male bear, which has a yellow ear tag, had made its way to the island after spending about a week in the Powell River area. The bear was first spotted in the Pocahontas Bay area over the weekend. 5:14 New bear approach for conservation officers Grizzly bears are known to be excellent swimmers. Last summer, a grizzly sow was spotted with cubs on Vancouver Island after presumably swimming from the mainland. Story continues below advertisement The regional district is urging Texada Island residents to be bear aware, and to take steps to ensure there are no attractants including food or trash on their properties. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It added that the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) is monitoring the situation and will respond if necessary. Bear sightings should be reported to the BCCOS Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Grizzly bear sighting on B.C. Gulf Island prompts warning
A grizzly bear fishes for salmon along the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola, B.C. Saturday, Sept 11, 2010. (Jonathan Hayward / THE CANADIAN PRESS) A grizzly bear has made its way from the British Columbia mainland to Texada Island in the Strait of Georgia, prompting a warning to residents and visitors. Officials with the qathet Regional District, which includes the communities of Powell River and Lasqueti and Texada islands, say the adult male grizzly was first spotted in the island's Pocahontas Bay area, southeast of the community of Van Anda. The bear, which has a yellow ear tag, spent about a week in the Powell River area before apparently swimming to the B.C. Gulf Island. 'Texada residents are urged to be bear aware and take steps to prevent the bear from accessing human food,' the regional district said in a public notice Monday. 'This is critical to avoid the bear becoming habituated to local communities.' Residents are urged to report sightings of the bear to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service. The bear did not demonstrate any aggression or cause conflict while in the Powell River area, the regional district said.
