The Conservation Officer Service (COS) put down 49 black bears across the Kootenays in 2024, with 303 black bears dispatched across the province.
COS officials say 2024 had the lowest numbers since the organization started recording these statistics in 2011.
Additionally, 2024 represents a 49.7 per cent drop in black bear dispatches from 603 in 2023.
In the Kootenays, Nelson had the highest number of black bears being put down last year with eight.
Last year, 17,345 black bear conflicts were reported to the RAPP line, which the COS says is 10,000 fewer reports than in 2023.
WildSafe BC Community Coordinator Dinica Lisk says residents’ efforts in reducing animal attractants are paying off.
“They recognize that we live in bear country. Bears have been here way before humans and we need to learn how to co-exist with them,” said Lisk.
“Because the community is adopting these bear safety measures, it’s reassuring for community members and tourists. Tourists like coming to an area where residents can coexist with wildlife and still feel safe.”
The COS emphasizes the importance of individual effort in collective community and wildlife safety.
“While it is encouraging to see fewer black bear conflicts and black bears dispatched overall, the public continues to have a critical role to play in reducing human-wildlife conflicts. Human-wildlife conflict is complex and cannot be solved by the COS alone,” said Cam Schley, Chief Conservation Officer.
“Attractants continue to drive a significant number of bear conflicts across BC. Residents, businesses and communities all need to do their part to secure attractants – such as garbage, pet food and birdseed – to help keep people safe and wildlife wild.”
Abundant natural food sources like berry crops also contributed to fewer bears coming to communities and, in turn, fewer human-wildlife conflicts.
You can find a breakdown of black bear dispatches through 2024 across several Kootenay communities below:
- Nelson – 8
- Fernie – 7
- Trail – 5
- Windermere – 4
- Grand Forks – 3
- Fruitvale – 2
- Kaslo – 2
- Kimberley – 2
- Salmo – 2
- Sparwood – 2
- Castlegar – 1
- Creston – 1
- Elkford – 1
- Invermere – 1
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