More grizzly bears were killed in B.C. last year than in any other year on record, according to new statistics released by environmental organizations.
And most of the 430 bears killed in 2007 were hunted and shot, according to the statistics.
"It doesn't make sense," said Chris Genovali of the Raincoast Conservation Society, who has been pushing to ban the hunt. "This is the slowest reproducing mammal on the continent."
The grizzlies were part of the controlled hunt that happens every year across the province. Since 1975, some 11,000 have died -- an average of about 300 per year.
Last year, some 40 per cent more bears were killed, said Genovali. It doesn't make ethical or economic sense to kill the bears either, he said.
"Grizzly bear viewing is more lucrative than hunting them," he said.
About 88 per cent of the bears were shot by hunters, while the animal control measures, poaching, and other unspecified causes accounted for the remaining mortalities.
But hunting outfitters say they've never seen as many grizzlies as there are today. It's a claim provincial scientists confirm.
The B.C. government estimates that there are as many as 17,000 grizzlies in the province -- more than enough to sustain a controlled hunt.
"Overall, our biologists are satisfied that we have a healthy grizzly bear population in British Columbia," said Environment Minister Barry Penner.
Penner said that the hunt is managed well, with seven regions closed to bear hunting to protect the stocks.
"My top priority is conservation, so if the biologists tell me that they have a concern in a particular region in the province, that area will be closed to grizzly bear hunting," said Penner.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty
