Photo by Brittany Crossman / Getty
For those who dedicate themselves to wildlife conservation, few experiences are more disheartening than losing an animal after spending years working to protect them.
Across British Columbia, people are investing their time and energy in finding ways for communities and bears to coexist. Organizations like the Ursa Project in Nelson, the Maple Ridge Black Bear Society, and the North Shore Black Bear Society – alongside countless volunteers and advocates – dedicate time toward educating neighbours, advocating for responsible waste management, working with municipalities, and trying to create communities where people and bears can safely share space. And yet, sometimes, a bear is killed anyway.
Recent bear deaths in places like Nelson and Maple Ridge have understandably left people feeling grief, frustration, and discouragement. After securing your garbage, changing your habits, speaking with neighbours, and volunteering your time, it can be difficult not to wonder, “What was the point?” That feeling is especially heavy against the backdrop of wildfires, rising costs, and the many other challenges already asking people to care, volunteer, and continue showing up.
We should make space for that grief rather than rushing people past it.
Compassion is Not the Opposite of Science
There is a misconception that caring about wildlife is somehow at odds with being scientific or professional. When people express anger or heartbreak after a bear is killed, they can be dismissed as being overly emotional or failing to understand the complexities of wildlife management. But experiencing grief doesn’t mean someone doesn’t understand bear behaviour, population ecology, the need for public safety, or the realities of conservation. In fact, compassion is often what motivates people to work with wildlife in the first place.
Researchers are increasingly using the term “ecological grief” to describe the emotional response to the loss of animals, species, ecosystems, and other parts of nature that people value. A recent article in Frontiers in Conservation Science describes ecological grief as a valid response to these losses and argues that the concept deserves greater consideration within conservation.
We can recognize that wildlife management is complex while still acknowledging that losing wildlife is painful.
Photo provided by Erik Blaney, Tla'amin Nation
Coexistence is a Collective Responsibility
It is because of this complexity that the solutions to coexistence cannot rely on individual responsibility alone. Actions such as securing attractants matter immensely, but coexistence is more than a checklist of actions for individuals to follow, and if we treat it that way, we burden individuals with what is a larger systemic problem. It is deeply discouraging to do everything you have been told to do and still watch bears die.
The reality is that while individual action is one part of the equation, coexistence also requires communities, municipalities, organizations, and governments to work together to address the broader systems and conditions that influence human-wildlife conflict. People need to feel that their actions are part of something bigger: communities investing in bear-resistant waste systems, wildlife agencies communicating transparently, and municipalities creating and enforcing effective bylaws that protect both people and wildlife.
This matters because people burn out or become apathetic when they stop believing their efforts make a difference.
Holding Space for Grief
The work of advocating for wildlife is important, but so is acknowledging the impact these losses have on the people doing that work. It is natural to be devastated by the loss of a bear, to feel angry or discouraged, or to wonder whether your efforts are making a difference. Those feelings can exist alongside the science, the difficult realities of wildlife management, and the ongoing work to create better outcomes.
The people who dedicate themselves to coexistence aren’t simply carrying out a task; they care deeply about the outcome, and that care can take an emotional toll. If we want advocates and communities to continue showing up for wildlife, we need to support the people doing that work, in order to sustain the work toward coexistence.
If You're Carrying This Grief
Grief over the loss of wildlife can be real and deeply felt. If conservation work or the loss of an animal you care about is leaving you overwhelmed, exhausted, angry, or discouraged, these free resources may help.
Mental Health and Climate Change Alliance: Ecological grief and climate distress resources — mhcca.ca
MyGrief.ca: Free Canadian grief support and resources — mygrief.ca
BC Bereavement Helpline: Free, confidential grief support — 1-877-779-2223 | bcbh.ca
211 Canada: Find local community and mental health supports — Dial 2-1-1 | 211.ca
9-8-8: Free 24/7 crisis support anywhere in Canada — Call 9-8-8
