Close X
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Bans Trophy Hunting For Grizzly Bears, Total Ban In Great Bear Rainforest

Darpan News Desk, 15 Aug, 2017 12:36 PM
    VICTORIA — Killing grizzly bears for trophy will come to an end in British Columbia, but not before hunters get one more shot this season.
     
     
    Natural Resource Operations Minister Doug Donaldson said the province is moving to ban trophy hunting for grizzly bears and will complete ban the hunt of grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest as of Nov. 30.
     
     
    But the current season that begins in some parts of the province this week is set to go ahead, Donaldson said, because hunting permits were already issued months ago.
     
     
    "The main factor was the long delay when we had a placeholder government for four months. During that time, the limited entry hunting tags were issued in June," Donaldson said, adding guide outfitters were also issued permits last December.
     
     
    First Nations and other groups will be consulted about ending the trophy hunt before the bans takes effect to determine what regulations are needed to enforce the rule and how to mitigate any economic impacts.
     
     
     
     
    "We recognize that there will be some loss of revenue in small communities from many aspects," he said, adding wildlife watching is an industry that could see potential growth.
     
     
    The purpose of the ban isn't because the number of killings is unsustainable for the grizzly population, but largely in response to public opinion, Donaldson said.
     
     
    "People in the province have come to their understanding, their point of view that the trophy hunting of grizzly bears is not a socially acceptable practice in B.C. in 2017," Donaldson said.
     
     
    The ban also fits into a renewed wildlife management strategy for the province and fulfills an election promise made by the NDP, he said.
     
     
    The ban will mean hunters will no longer be able to keep the head, paws or hide of a grizzly, but regulations on how to enforce that are still being developed.
     
     
    The government said there are an estimated 15,000 grizzlies in B.C. and 250 are killed by hunters every year.
     
     
    Of those, and average of 170 are killed by resident hunters while 80 are taken by non-residents.
     
     
    But Donaldson said it's unclear how many are killed specifically for trophy because that data hasn't been tracked and it will take a year or two for the province to determine that figure.
     
     
    Wildlife advocates are applauding the ban, saying hunting and habitat loss are the two biggest threats to the species.
     
     
    Joe Foy of the Wilderness Committee said 4,000 grizzlies have been killed since the previous Liberal government reinstated the trophy hunt 16 years ago.
     
     
    "Premier (John) Horgan is to be commended for ending this cruel and barbaric blood sport for good," Foy said in a statement.
     
     
    B.C. Green party Leader Andrew Weaver said while the ban is encouraging, it doesn't fully end the hunt which environmental groups had wanted
     
     
    Weaver said in a statement that the new ban is also viewed as wasteful by the resident hunting community because the hair, head and hide of the grizzlies can no longer be used.
     
     
    "I'm not sure how this will appease the concerns of anyone. It appears to me that the NDP was trying to play to environmental voters in the election campaign without thinking through their policies," Weaver said.
     
     
    He said the government should take a more science-based approach to species management and he is calling for the introduction of endangered species legislation, which the province currently lacks.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. Child Killer Allan Schoenborn Too Much Of A Threat For Escorted Outings, Crown Says

    B.C. Child Killer Allan Schoenborn Too Much Of A Threat For Escorted Outings, Crown Says
    NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — A Crown lawyer says a man found not criminally responsible for killing his three children poses too much of a threat to be allowed escorted outings into the community.

    B.C. Child Killer Allan Schoenborn Too Much Of A Threat For Escorted Outings, Crown Says

    Immigration Minister Orders Review Of Canada's Asylum Claim System

    Immigration Minister Orders Review Of Canada's Asylum Claim System
    OTTAWA — The federal immigration minister has ordered a review of the asylum process in Canada in a bid to speed up the system.

    Immigration Minister Orders Review Of Canada's Asylum Claim System

    Suspect Who Fatally Shot Indian Man At Kansas City Bar Indicted On Hate Crimes

    Suspect Who Fatally Shot Indian Man At Kansas City Bar Indicted On Hate Crimes
    The man accused of shooting Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his colleague Alok Madasani at a bar in Kansas has been indicted by a federal grand jury on hate crime and firearms charges, the media reported.

    Suspect Who Fatally Shot Indian Man At Kansas City Bar Indicted On Hate Crimes

    Ex-Alberta Politician Becomes Oldest Canadian To Climb Mount Everest

    Ex-Alberta Politician Becomes Oldest Canadian To Climb Mount Everest
    John Oldring, who served as a member of the legislature from 1986 to 1993 after spending more than a decade on Red Deer city council, accomplished the feat on May 25.

    Ex-Alberta Politician Becomes Oldest Canadian To Climb Mount Everest

    Decaying Hotels Vital Temporary Answer To Social Housing In Vancouver: Experts

    Decaying Hotels Vital Temporary Answer To Social Housing In Vancouver: Experts
    The Balmoral Hotel recently became the focus of the housing crisis in the neighbourhood when the city issued an evacuation notice for about 143 tenants after it determined the building is at risk of collapse.

    Decaying Hotels Vital Temporary Answer To Social Housing In Vancouver: Experts

    Alberta Dad Accused Of Sexually Abusing Daughters Several Times Over Six Years

    Alberta Dad Accused Of Sexually Abusing Daughters Several Times Over Six Years
      'No child should have to endure what these 3 girls have survived,' police officer says

    Alberta Dad Accused Of Sexually Abusing Daughters Several Times Over Six Years