UPDATE:
- The B.C. Conservation Officer Service announced on August 14 that they have euthanized the mother grizzly bear due to safety concerns, as the animal showed signs of being habituated to human food and was no longer afraid of people.
- The two remaining yearlings were relocated to an undisclosed location for continued monitoring.
- CBC News was informed by the service that they were not available for an interview.
A demonstration occurred in Nelson, B.C., on Thursday to voice opposition to the decision made by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to put down a young grizzly bear.
The bear was part of one of the two grizzly bear families frequently seen in and around Nelson.
Katie Graves, founder of the Ursa Project Society, described the rally as emotional, with attendees expressing sadness and solidarity.
Community members gathered in response to the death of a young grizzly bear with a leg injury or deformity at the hands of conservation officers. (Bix Burkhart/The Ursa Project Society)
Graves argued that the yearling grizzly, despite a leg issue, was capable of moving, keeping up with its family, and finding food.
She highlighted that many bears in the wild live with similar conditions and lead fulfilling lives.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service stated that due to the bear’s age, injury, and past conflicts, it was not suitable for rehabilitation or relocation, without specifying the nature of the conflicts.
The service acknowledged the difficult decision to euthanize an injured or problematic bear, emphasizing the weight of such choices.
Graves mentioned that the mother bear had initially been relocated after bringing cubs to the area in 2023 but returned shortly after.
The Conservation Service has not provided updates on the status of the other grizzlies — a sow and two yearlings — but assured that any captured bear would undergo assessment before determining the next steps.
The incident triggered a flurry of comments in local Facebook groups, predominantly critical of the decision to euthanize the grizzly.
Several individuals acknowledged the efforts of conservation officers to ensure public safety and expressed the need for better waste management practices to deter bears from urban areas.