Close X
Monday, November 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Hunter knew grizzly was wearing tracking collar before making legal kill in B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Sep, 2017 11:39 AM

    The hunter that killed a notorious female grizzly bear in B.C. after the bear wandered into the province from Alberta knew the animal was wearing a research tracking collar but shot it anyway.

    The Alberta government had moved the grizzly, known as Bear 148, in July from its home range in a popular developed area west of Calgary to a remote park north of Jasper to protect public safety.

    The grizzly, which is a threatened species in Alberta, hadn't hurt anyone but had gotten too close to people too many times around the Canmore and Banff area.

    The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the bear was shot on Sunday in the McBride region by a non-resident hunter who was with a guide.

    "The guide and hunter knew that the bear was collared prior to harvest," the service said in an email. "This was a legal hunt and no investigation is underway."

    No information on the hunter was given.

    Last month, B.C. announced it would end the grizzly bear trophy hunt as of Nov. 30, saying it is inconsistent with the values of most British Columbians.

    Brett Boukall, a senior wildlife biologist with Alberta Environment, said data from Bear 148's tracking collar suggests the grizzly had not been a problem before it was killed.

    "It was kind of being the perfect bear doing bear things away from people," he said. "To my knowledge, there had been no reports of any conflicts."

    After the bear was relocated in July, it wandered around its new range in the northern Alberta wilderness.

    The tracking data suggests it crossed into B.C. on Friday after a storm dumped snow in the region, perhaps making it more difficult for it to find food, Boukall said. It was wandering toward the Fraser River when it was shot.

    "Myself and my colleagues felt disappointed that this has occurred, but at the same time recognized that this is something that is a part of being a bear in today's busy landscape with the ability for legal harvest on the B.C. side," he said.

    Conservationists are concerned about the death of Bear 148, which was nearing the age to have cubs.

    Candace Batycki of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative said the fact the bear had to be relocated from its home range in the highly developed Bow Valley west of Calgary shows how difficult it is for grizzlies to survive.

    Batycki said more must be done to protect them.

    "Bear 148 was not in a protected area when she was killed but she was in grizzly bear habitat," she said. "Her death highlights the need for collaborative cross-border conversation between B.C. and Alberta."

    Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips called the death of Bear 148 a case of bad timing.

    "The new government has not moved forward with their regulations yet because they are new and the grizzly hunt remains legal across the border in British Columbia."

    There are about 700 grizzly bears in Alberta. It has been illegal to hunt grizzlies in the province since 2006.

    Image used for representation purposes only

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Prince Harry surprises students by appearing at Toronto We Day event

    Prince Harry surprises students by appearing at Toronto We Day event
      Prince Harry surprised thousands of young people Thursday when he arrived unannounced at the Toronto We Day celebration.

    Prince Harry surprises students by appearing at Toronto We Day event

    Toronto's mayor recommends stadium be renamed to honour Rob Ford

    Toronto's mayor recommends stadium be renamed to honour Rob Ford
      The mayor of Toronto is recommending that a stadium be named after his infamous predecessor — the late Rob Ford.

    Toronto's mayor recommends stadium be renamed to honour Rob Ford

    Alberta NDP takes aim at Jason Kenney in new law on gay-straight alliances

    Alberta NDP takes aim at Jason Kenney in new law on gay-straight alliances
      Alberta's education minister says he plans to change the law to prevent conservative leadership candidate Jason Kenney from outing gay children.

    Alberta NDP takes aim at Jason Kenney in new law on gay-straight alliances

    Former cabinet minister Judy Foote bids farewell to House of Commons

    Former cabinet minister Judy Foote bids farewell to House of Commons
      With tears in her eyes and her daughters and granddaughters watching from the gallery, MP Judy Foote bade farewell to the House of Commons on Thursday by urging more women to take up the challenges of politics.

    Former cabinet minister Judy Foote bids farewell to House of Commons

    David Johnston feted as the people's Governor General at farewell ceremony

    David Johnston feted as the people's Governor General at farewell ceremony
      As he prepares to return to private life after seven years as Governor General, David Johnston is being toasted as a warm and genial man of the people who connected deeply with Canadians.

    David Johnston feted as the people's Governor General at farewell ceremony

    Nanaimo, B.C., mulls solution to damage caused by huge flocks of Canada geese

    Nanaimo, B.C., mulls solution to damage caused by huge flocks of Canada geese
      Huge flocks of Canada geese can be unwanted pests in any location, but several Vancouver Island cities say the geese have moved past messy and aggressive and are harming the environment.

    Nanaimo, B.C., mulls solution to damage caused by huge flocks of Canada geese

    PrevNext