bears

Bear viewing guide and expert Ellie Lamb is concerned B.C. conservation officers are euthanizing too many bears, but the conservation service says it’s always a last resort. (Submitted: Tracy Duncan)

BC Conservation needs oversight on bear euthanizations, expert argues

More than 600 bears killed in B.C. in 2021

Bear viewing guide and expert Ellie Lamb is concerned B.C. conservation officers are euthanizing too many bears, but the conservation service says it’s always a last resort. (Submitted: Tracy Duncan)
The interior of Ucluelet resident Katharine Fleming’s van was demolished on Friday morning when a bear became trapped inside and desperately tried to break its way out. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Bear destroys Vancouver Island van after getting trapped inside

RCMP officer frees black bear, but not before it obliterates the vehicle’s interior

The interior of Ucluelet resident Katharine Fleming’s van was demolished on Friday morning when a bear became trapped inside and desperately tried to break its way out. (Andrew Bailey photo)
A family of five bears was recently spotted in Abbotsford.

VIDEO: Momma bear and cubs caught rummaging for food in B.C. driveway

Mother bear, four cubs spotted on security camera in Eagle Mountain area of Abbotsford

A family of five bears was recently spotted in Abbotsford.
A very large black bear broke into a West Trail house in the early hours of May 8. By the time the bruin retreated, five windows were shattered. Conservation was called. Photo: Submitted

Bears are back: Bruin smashes 5 windows breaking into Trail home

Hungry bear has Trail police are warning locals to stay vigilant with bear smart practices

A very large black bear broke into a West Trail house in the early hours of May 8. By the time the bruin retreated, five windows were shattered. Conservation was called. Photo: Submitted
Black Bear Reports in B.C. this year. All reports are made through the Wildlife Alert Reporting Program. (WildSafeBC)

Record-setting number of black bear sightings across B.C. in 2021

WildSafeBC reports nearly 20,000 reported sightings from January to November this year

Black Bear Reports in B.C. this year. All reports are made through the Wildlife Alert Reporting Program. (WildSafeBC)
It has been a brutal year for bears in the Elk Valley, with dozens destroyed by Conservation Officers and more killed by traffic and trains. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

31 bears euthanized in the Elk Valley

Conservation Officers have been forced to destroy 31 bears in the Elk Valley so far

It has been a brutal year for bears in the Elk Valley, with dozens destroyed by Conservation Officers and more killed by traffic and trains. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
A male grizzly bear in a fall apple tree in Elkford, BC. (Photo credit: Cindy Rideout)

Pilot program in Elk Valley pulling fruit out of hungry bears’ reach

A program which removes and replaces fruit-bearing trees saw a successful first year in operation, with a wait list for 2022

A male grizzly bear in a fall apple tree in Elkford, BC. (Photo credit: Cindy Rideout)
A black bear. (CP Photo)

Community watch thwarts lip-licking bear’s attempt to see if B.C. RV is ‘just right’

Bruin ransacked home, later captured and removed by conservation officers

A black bear. (CP Photo)
Melanie Porter says this bear licked her hand before retreating to the bushes. (Submitted Photo)

B.C. woman gets spooked, licked by bear in her backyard

Melanie Porter said a bear licked her hand while she was looking for her phone

Melanie Porter says this bear licked her hand before retreating to the bushes. (Submitted Photo)
(Twitter/BC Conservation Officer Service)

Conservation officer kills black bear previously shot with rifle in Kootenay town

Officers are searching for whoever shot a mother bear within district limits

(Twitter/BC Conservation Officer Service)
A black bear mother and cub fish for salmon in a creek near Ucluelet. (Westerly file photo)

Warning issued after bear knocks over B.C. angler

Man was fishing in the Tofino area and was not injured

A black bear mother and cub fish for salmon in a creek near Ucluelet. (Westerly file photo)
Bears can come onto people’s yards and their patios for pumpkin and candies, like this bear in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, who just went for the pumpkin. (Christy Mabe/Special to The News)

Keep your tricks, treats and bears separate, WildSafe BC says

Shares tips and suggestions to avoid human-bear conflict through Halloween

Bears can come onto people’s yards and their patios for pumpkin and candies, like this bear in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, who just went for the pumpkin. (Christy Mabe/Special to The News)
In September 2021, 142 black bears were destroyed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service due to human conflict. (Black Press file photo)

Ex-conservation officer says ‘armed police’ don’t belong in B.C.’s wildlife response

142 black bears were destroyed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service in September

In September 2021, 142 black bears were destroyed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service due to human conflict. (Black Press file photo)
A polar bear stands on the ice in the Franklin Strait in the Canadian Arctic Archipelag on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Three people are in hospital after a polar bear attack in Sanirajak, in Nunavut’s Baffin region. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-David Goldman

Three people in hospital after polar bear attack near Nunavut community

Attack occurred outside Sanirajak, a community of abut 850 people

A polar bear stands on the ice in the Franklin Strait in the Canadian Arctic Archipelag on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Three people are in hospital after a polar bear attack in Sanirajak, in Nunavut’s Baffin region. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-David Goldman
A black bear is seen near Lake Louise, Alberta. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Update: Bear destroyed after lone hiker near Vanderhoof attacked

Man released from hospital

A black bear is seen near Lake Louise, Alberta. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
A black bear is seen near Lake Louise, Alberta, June, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Tree planter dies after bear attack in northern Alberta

Fish and wildlife officers working to identify bear responsible following incident near Swan Hills

A black bear is seen near Lake Louise, Alberta, June, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Bears play in a tub. (BC Wildlife Park)

Tubthumping: Bears stay cool at BC Wildlife Park

Two grizzles play in a tub at the wildfire park in Kamloops

Bears play in a tub. (BC Wildlife Park)
Conservation officers said the bear looked similar to the one shown above. Photo: Facebook / Critter Care Wildlife Society

Bear put down in Midway after ‘house-to-house’ break-ins, Conservation Officers say

The village had warned residents of ‘recent bear activity’

Conservation officers said the bear looked similar to the one shown above. Photo: Facebook / Critter Care Wildlife Society
A bear showed up as a runner was gearing up for a job at Burnaby Lake Park. (kmwhitter/Twitter)

VIDEO: Bear interrupts man’s run in Metro Vancouver park

Bear has been spotted multiple times at Burnaby Lake Park

A bear showed up as a runner was gearing up for a job at Burnaby Lake Park. (kmwhitter/Twitter)
A family of bears took a dip in Coquitlam, B.C., to cool off during a record-breaking heat wave this weekend. (Lyle Jeffrey/Twitter)

VIDEO: Mama bear and cubs escape the heat by taking a dip in a B.C. pool

Bears were trying to cool off during a record-breaking heat wave

A family of bears took a dip in Coquitlam, B.C., to cool off during a record-breaking heat wave this weekend. (Lyle Jeffrey/Twitter)