Latest news with #B.C.ConservationOfficerService
Vancouver Sun
7 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Five black bear cubs near Williams Lake orphaned after mother shot, killed illegally
Conservation officers are investigating after five black bear cubs near Williams Lake were left orphaned when their mother was shot and killed illegally. According to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the sow was killed either May 24 or 25 near the community of Big Lake, which is about 55 kilometres northeast of Williams Lake. 'A passing motorist reported seeing a black bear carcass and cubs to the COS on the evening of May 26,' according to a statement shared by the BCOS. Conservation officers who visited the site found the mother bear and confirmed it had been shot and killed. The cubs were not in the vicinity, though two of the five have since been located and captured. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 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 BCOS. 'At this time, 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 BCOS through its poacher hotline at 1-877-952-7277. sip@
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.
Vancouver Sun
05-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. conservation officer denies allegations from hunting show host
Article content The conservation officer sued for $2.4 million by a hunting TV host channel has denied all allegations that he maliciously and compulsively harassed the hunter, causing him to lose his YouTube channel and sponsorships. Article content Michel Beaulieu, who referred to himself as a hunter, TV personality and businessman, filed the lawsuit in March against Wyatt Pile and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, alleging a harassment campaign that included the officer posing as a buyer for his Kelowna house. Article content Article content The lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court alleges Pile began harassing Beaulieu in 2020, after the hunter illegally shared a hunting tag with his wife during a bear kill. Article content Article content A subsequent two-year investigation by B.C. and Alberta wildlife officers resulted in more than $25,000 in fines against the couple after the seizure of unlawfully killed wildlife at six locations in both provinces, Alberta wildlife officials have said in online posts. Article content Beaulieu alleged Pile 'seemed to become obsessed … and started targeting Beaulieu,' watching his YouTube videos, calling him several times and threatening him with more charges, according to his lawsuit. Article content The defendants denied all the allegations in a recent court filing. Article content The filing said Pile became involved in Beaulieu's case after Alberta wildlife officers in 2020 investigated the man for the suspected unlawful killing of a bighorn sheep. Article content Article content The Alberta officers suspected Beaulieu was falsely claiming residency in Alberta and B.C. to obtain hunting licences in both provinces, contrary to the B.C. Wildlife Act, which led to an B.C. investigation with Pile as lead investigator, it said. Article content Article content It said Pile watched an episode of Alpine Carnivore on Beaulieu's YouTube channel that showed he and his wife hunting a black bear near Salmon Arm in May 2020, during which his wife shot the bear and killed it while sharing Beaulieu's licence, which is against the law. Article content Pile said in the court document that the charges for hunting without a licence, using the licence of another person, allowing the licence to be used by another person and possessing dead wildlife without a licence were the four charges that were approved, and the couple entered a guilty plea in a plea bargain with prosecutors.
Global News
03-05-2025
- Global News
Search underway for 3 orphaned cubs after bear killed in Whistler for biting woman
Wildlife officials are desperately working to locate a trio of orphaned bear cubs in Whistler, after their mother was put down for attacking a dog walker earlier this week. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) said the mother bear was killed after it knocked a woman down and bit her in the Kadenwood neighbourhood on Monday evening. On Tuesday, the BCCOS received reports from the same area about the cubs, which they now believe belonged to the sow. Conservation officers searched the area but couldn't find the youngsters. 0:47 Woman walking dog attacked by black bear in Whistler neighbourhood That has bear advocate Ellie Lamb concerned, given the animals are likely still unable to feed themselves. Story continues below advertisement 'Their health is waning because they are on mother's milk, they haven't eaten anything solid … they may chew on some grass a little bit, but nothing that's going to get them by,' she said. 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's very serious about getting them picked up. Five days would be pushing it, if they could survive.' Along with starvation concerns, Lamb said there are a variety of predators in the area, including cougars and coyotes. Conservation Officer Darragh Carroll said officers have been in the area looking for the cubs since they were reported. 2:04 Rewilded bear cubs being tracked in new project 'We've had a number of officers out on the ground, including conservation officers and our new wildlife safety response officer we have stationed in Whistler… we've also set out a live trap in the area,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'We are still working on it, we're going to do everything we can.' If officers can locate the cubs, they will be captured and assessed as candidates for rehabilitation. The BCCOS is also asking the public to keep their eye out for the cubs and to call 1-877-952-7277 if they see them. People are also being reminded to keep their distance and not to interfere with the animals.
The Province
30-04-2025
- The Province
Woman walking dog knocked down and bitten by black bear in Whistler
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the bear was killed due to public safety concerns after the woman was taken to hospital File photo of a black bear in the woods. Photo by Jonathan Hayward / THE CANADIAN PRESS A black bear was shot by conservation officers in Whistler on Monday night after it attacked a woman out for a walk with her dog. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors At about 8:30 p.m., the woman was walking in the Kadenwood neighbourhood on the southern outskirts of the village when she was knocked to the ground and bitten by a bear. She was taken to hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service responded along with Whistler RCMP, firefighters and paramedics. Officers did a sweep of the area around the attack and spotted a black bear that matched witness descriptions of the one that went after the woman. It was shot and killed 'due to public safety concerns,' said the service in a statement on social media. Conservation officers are investigating. In 2024, officers killed 303 black bears because of human-wildlife conflicts across B.C., 34 in the South Coast region that includes Whistler. The highest death toll was in the Okanagan (68), Thompson Cariboo (60) and Kootenay (49). The service advises people who live in or visit areas where human-wildlife contact is possible to become familiar with safety precautions at jruttle@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Local News Vancouver Whitecaps Local News News
