A second grizzly bear has been killed in Nelson this week.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said a sow was dispatched Friday, while two yearlings associated with her were captured and released at an undisclosed location.
The sow was one of seven grizzlies frequenting the area and became the focus of public outrage after a male yearling she was travelling with was euthanized Wednesday.
The service said the sow had exhibited food-conditioned behaviour and a significant loss of fear of people, including repeatedly accessing residential properties and non-natural food sources such as fruit trees and barbecues. She had also regularly remained in close proximity to people.
The BCCOS said the sow and her offspring had been monitored for several years and that officers and the B.C. Wildlife Branch had worked with the community on attractant management.
She was the same bear that was relocated from the city in 2023 with a previous set of offspring. The Conservation Officer Service said the Wildlife Branch determined a second relocation was not a viable management option because of the sow’s extensive food-conditioning and increasing comfort in residential areas.
The yearling euthanized Wednesday was associated with the group and had an injured leg. It was dispatched on the recommendation of the provincial wildlife veterinarian.
The service said the two yearlings captured Friday will continue to be monitored.
“We recognize this news will be upsetting for many people,” said the BCCOS. “The dispatching of any bear is an outcome that conservation officers, wildlife biologists, community partners and residents work hard to prevent, and these decisions are never made lightly.”
The service said the decisions were made in consultation with wildlife biologists from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
It also reiterated that unsecured attractants are a primary driver of bear conflicts and subsequent bear dispatches, and urged residents to secure garbage, fruit and other food sources.
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