Latest news with #BCCOS
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Black bear illegally shot, leaving behind 5 cubs: BCCOS
Orphaned bear cubs are seen in trees near Williams Lake in this image handed out by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service. Conservation officers are investigating after a black bear was shot and its body left behind outside Williams Lake, B.C. The sow's killing left five cubs orphaned. It is illegal under the Wildlife Act to shoot a mother bear with cubs, or any black bear under two years old. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says a driver reported seeing a black bear carcass and cubs near the community of Big Lake on May 26, and believes the incident happened one or two days previous. Staff are now in the process of capturing the cubs and bringing them to Northern Lights Wildlife Society for rehabilitation—two out of five have been taken in so far. '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 conservation officer Jeremy Pauls said in a statement Friday. '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 who has information about the incident is asked to call the Report All Poachewrs and Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
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.
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.
