Conservation officers investigating report that grizzly on B.C. island was shot

CTV News

5 days ago

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