The former community co-ordinator of Wildsafe B.C. in Nelson is advocating for changes following what she describes as “numerous failures … across various levels” that resulted in the killing of a grizzly sow and two of her three yearlings this month. Expressing her heartbreak, Lisa Thomson, in an interview with CBC’s Radio West, disclosed her decision to step down from her position in light of the bear deaths.
The mother grizzly and her cubs had been a point of interest as they roamed around the Nelson vicinity. Despite being relocated, the mother bear was eventually put down after returning to the West Kootenay region. One of the yearlings was euthanized by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) due to unsuitability for relocation based on age and health issues. Another yearling met the same fate after being moved but later found near Christina Lake consuming garbage.
Andrew Milne, deputy chief of the BCCOS, stated that the decision to euthanize the bears was made due to their close interactions with humans, lack of fear towards people, and reliance on non-natural food sources. Thomson, while acknowledging the established procedures for handling such cases, expressed her inability to accept the outcomes this time.
She highlighted the prolonged presence of the bears in the area, citing the attraction of feral fruit trees as a contributing factor. Thomson emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts among residents, local authorities, and businesses to implement bear-wise practices within communities. Referencing successful initiatives in Canmore and Banff, Alberta, she proposed adopting centralized, animal-resistant waste disposal systems as a potential solution.
Thomson stressed the importance of preventing wildlife attractants and discouraging bears from becoming accustomed to human surroundings. She emphasized the need for setting boundaries and deterring wildlife from lingering near human spaces.
Additionally, Thomson clarified misconceptions surrounding Wildsafe B.C.’s role, emphasizing its educational function as a non-profit organization separate from the BCCOS. The last surviving yearling of the grizzly sow has been relocated and is currently under observation after briefly appearing in Christina Lake before moving on.