Please take a moment before Jan. 18 to let the government know that your Canada includes grizzly bears, and that you support listing the Grizzly Bear (Western Population) as a species of Special Concern under Schedule 1 of SARA.
Vancouver, BC -- The Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative welcomes momentum to list Grizzly Bears as a Species of Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). This proposal was posted shortly before today’s B.C. government announcement that hunting of grizzly bears is now banned everywhere in the province.
The Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Initiative applauds the newly released report from the BC Auditor General’s Office on grizzly bear management in BC, as it accurately highlights the most significant threats facing the province’s grizzly bears.
The Coast to Cascade Grizzly Bear Initiative is pleased to see that today’s statement by theProvincial Government regarding ending the trophy grizzly bear hunt also confirms its commitment to a renewed wildlife management strategy for the province. The group notes the importance for this strategy to recognize that the fate of grizzly bears in B.C. is deeply tied to managing the species and their habitat beyond just the hunt.
Photo (c) Jeremy Williams.
In fall 2016 two bears were shot and killed on the N'Quatqua First Nation reserve by Conservation Officers. The bears had come accustomed to human presence and were deemed by conservation officials to pose a threat to human safety. The event saddened and angered many community members and led them to work on ways to prevent future tragedies from occurring.
Photo (c) Jeremy Williams.
2016 has been a busy year for the Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative. It saw several public events to discuss grizzly conservation strategies, an increase in our outreach and public education efforts and a strengthening of our relationship with local First Nations. We have been very heartened to see the broad support for grizzly bear recovery across Southwest BC.
