The Deadliest Communities for Bears 2021 List is now available for residents and media to view, after records have been obtained through a Freedom of Information request and compiled by charitable organization The Fur-Bearers.
“Black bears are killed by the hundreds by government agents in British Columbia, frequently for being near humans or accessing human foods that were left accessible,” explains Aaron Hofman, Director of Advocacy and Policy at The Fur-Bearers. “It is important that communities where these bears are killed with extreme frequency are identified and addressed so underlying, systemic causes for negative encounters can be ended. Our Deadliest Communities list was created to try and put into perspective what many residents have decried: too many bears are dying, and not enough is being done about it.”
Deadliest Communities for Bears 2021
According to government statistics for 2021, the five deadliest communities for black bears in British Columbia are:
- Prince George: 36
- 100 Mile House: 22
- Quesnel: 19
- Burns Lake: 17
- Vernon: 16
In 2021, these five areas alone accounted for nearly 20% of all black bears killed in the province by conservation officers. These communities are not specific to municipal boundaries because of how the BC Conservation Officer Service (BC COS) records their incident reports. Between 2015-2021, the BC COS killed 3779 black bears. The full list is available at TheFurBearers.com.
“Every community on this list can be concerned about the ongoing trend of bears killed by conservation officers,” says Hofman. “It points to something being out of balance in the ecosystem, or a significant need for education and the implementation and enforcement of by-laws at the local level, as well as provincial enforcement.”
The Fur-Bearers is urging residents to contact their municipal representatives and request wildlife attractant by-laws be implemented, along with education and enforcement of said by-laws. The province, in its bid to reduce the number of calls to service for the BC COS, can support these efforts.
“If government agents and agencies are as distraught at the number of bears killed as they indicate in media, we certainly hope that they will use this list as an opportunity to speak to their superiors and key political figures behind making change happen,” Hofman says.
More information on wildlife attractant by-laws, community programs to reduce negative encounters, and educational materials on coexisting with bears is available at www.TheFurBearers.com.
Related articles and resources
City of Rossland makes pawsitive move for bears
New bylaw puts financial pressure on residents to make change for black bears and other wildlife
How feeding birds feeds bears and coyotes
You can’t control who gets attracted by food or eats it when left in nature, and that can lead to consequences for wildlife.
End cycle of killing by billing repeat offenders
Black bears are being killed in disproportionate numbers in some municipalities, while we all pay the price
NEWS: Black bears on the move
September among worst months for bear deaths in British Columbia; residents reminded to secure attractants
Fall Wildlife Attractants Checklist
Help keep wildlife wild and your community coexisting by using this simple checklist.
BC’s Deadliest Communities for Black Bears
2022 data reveals the areas where bears are most often killed by Conservation Officers.
Warm winter weather can wake wildlife
People-provided food can keep bears, other animals from resting and create negative encounters
Bill introduced to protect bear dens in British Columbia
An amendment to the Wildlife Act has been proposed that would protect bear dens across British Columbia.
