The former community co-ordinator of Wildsafe B.C. Nelson is advocating for transformation following what she describes as “various breakdowns … across different sectors” that resulted in the demise of a grizzly mother and two of her three cubs this month. Lisa Thomson expressed her sorrow and announced her departure from her position in the aftermath of the incidents.
The four bears had garnered attention as they traversed the Nelson region. The mother bear was euthanized after being relocated but returning to the West Kootenay community. According to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS), one of the cubs was put down due to being unsuitable for relocation because of its age and health issues. Another cub met the same fate after being relocated but reappearing near Christina Lake and scavenging for food.
Andrew Milne, BCCOS deputy chief, stated that the decision to euthanize the bears was made due to their close interaction with humans, lack of fear, and accessing non-natural food sources, leading to public safety concerns.
Thomson acknowledged the necessity of wildlife management policies but expressed her inability to accept the outcomes in this particular case. She highlighted the bears’ prolonged presence in the area, frequently returning due to the abundance of feral fruit trees, emphasizing that the issue cannot be solely addressed through bear relocation.
She proposed a collaborative approach involving residents, local authorities, and businesses to implement bear-safe practices in communities. Thomson cited the examples of Canmore and Banff in Alberta, where centralized, animal-proof trash bins have replaced individual curbside bins to deter wildlife interactions.
Thomson urged for increased vigilance from residents in preventing wildlife attractants and discouraging wildlife from becoming accustomed to human environments, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and not allowing wildlife to linger near human dwellings.
She clarified misconceptions about Wildsafe B.C.’s role, emphasizing that the organization operates independently to educate the public and is not an enforcement agency for the BCCOS. The fourth and final yearling of the grizzly mother was relocated and is currently under monitoring after briefly appearing in Christina Lake before moving on.
