Photo by Marcel Gleitsmann / Getty Images
What happens when someone sees a lone bear cub in British Columbia? Should they call a rehab centre? Should they intervene?
The Orphaned Black Bear Cub FAQ, posted publicly by the BC government in April 2025, outlines a multi-step process involving the BC Conservation Officer Service (BC COS), biologists, veterinarians, and, when appropriate, licensed wildlife rehab facilities. The document is framed as a humane and science-based response to reports of lone cubs—but a deeper look reveals a complex set of priorities that raises questions about consistency, compassion, and capacity. Its release appears to be a direct response to the BC COS moving away from wildlife management and the growing public concern over the fate of orphaned cubs in the province. It reflects the increasing demand for transparency and accountability in how these vulnerable animals are treated.
Photo via BearSmart.com
What The Guidelines Say
The new protocol makes one thing abundantly clear: “Leave wild” is the preferred option. When a lone cub is reported, they are assessed based on:
- Age (younger than 8 months are prioritized)
- Body condition
- Behavior and signs of habituation (although habituation is not well defined)
- Likelihood of reunion with their mother
- Proximity to roads or people
If the cub is clearly suffering, injured, or far too young to survive on their own, they may be killed. In some cases, and only with approval from both the Provincial Wildlife Veterinarian (Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, WLRS) and the BC COS, the cub may be transferred to one of 3 licensed rehabilitation centres (Northern Lights Wildlife Society, Critter Care Wildlife Society and North Island Recovery Centre). However, yearling bears—those older than 12 months—are generally not eligible for rehab at all, regardless of their condition.
The document also emphasizes a 48-hour minimum observation period for cubs believed to be recently orphaned. During this time, intervention is typically avoided, even if the cub is in distress, with the goal of allowing a possible reunion with their mother.
The Pros
- A process: The document outlines the decision-making process followed by the BC Conservation Officer Service, veterinarians, biologists, and wildlife rehabilitators.
- Centralization: The emphasis is on calling the RAPP line, creating a centralized place where information is recorded (ie. sightings), which could make the capture of injured/orphaned bear cubs easier, more efficient.
- Humane intentions: Veterinary input is central to decisions, helping to reduce suffering where possible.
- Wildlife science-based: The guidelines reference up-to-date knowledge about cub development (although citations are not provided).
- Rehabilitation pathway exists: Although limited, there is a route for cubs to access professional care and eventual release.
The Cons
- High threshold for help: Most cubs will not be rescued unless they meet very specific criteria, meaning many are left to suffer or die.
- Delays can harm: The mandatory 48-hour wait for possible reunification can result in prolonged suffering, especially if the sow is already dead.
- Limited role for rehabbers: Wildlife rehabilitation centres must wait for the government’s referral, which can create delays or missed opportunities.
- Rehab may not be available: There are only 3 rehab centres in BC for bears. They have a limited capacity for the number of animals they can accept into care. Centres may be full, too far away, or unable to accept animals due to lack of resources.
- At the mercy of discretion: Cubs remain subject to the discretion of BC government employees, including RAPP line responders. This can lead to inconsistent outcomes based on personal perception, limited resources, time constraints, or staffing shortages.
- Yearlings excluded: Cubs older than 12 months are often disqualified from rehab, unless approved by WLRS.
- Public disempowerment: The only option for concerned citizens is to report and wait.
Photo by Frank Fichtmuller / Getty Images
While these guidelines represent a step toward clarity in how orphaned black bear cubs are treated in British Columbia, they also reveal a deeply cautious, top-down approach that puts significant constraints on when and how a cub can be helped. Decisions are often filtered through a lens of population-level management, risk aversion, administrative efficiency, and/or cost-effectiveness, rather than one focused on an individual bear cub’s well-being. This approach risks perpetuating public mistrust and criticism toward the BC government, particularly among those who are deeply concerned about the well-being of individual animals.
Lastly, while the principle of ‘letting nature take its course’—which is reflected in these guidelines—is grounded in respect for natural processes, it’s important to recognize that many of the challenges wildlife face today, such as habitat fragmentation, road networks, and urban expansion, stem from human activity. In such cases, intervention is often necessary to address issues that are not the result of natural systems, but rather of human impact.
In a province with both the expertise and capacity to rehabilitate wild animals safely and successfully, it’s worth asking: Are we doing enough?
