More black bears were killed by conservation officers in the Prince George area than any other community in British Columbia, according to 2021 statistics compiled by an animal rights group.
The statistics was compiled by the Fur-Bearers, an organization that describes itself as a charity that seeks to "promote solutions for wildlife coexistence in communities." The group got the data by submitting a freedom of information request.
Last year, 36 black bears were killed in and around Prince George, it found. 100 Mile House saw 22 bears put down while in Quesnel there were 19. In Burns Lake there were 17 and in Vernon there were 16.
Those five communities accounted for nearly 20 per cent of all black bear deaths across the province, according to the charity.
“It’s pretty sad,’ said Aaron Hofman, Director of Advocacy and Policy. “Ultimately, each number is an animal that was killed and didn’t live out its entire life.”
The group acknowledged it doesn’t know why these areas stand out.
Prince George, for example, mandates when residents can take their garbage to the curb for pick-up in order to reduce encounters with bears.
“But the big question still remains: Why? Is that enough? Is there enough enforcement of these by-laws? Is there enough education for the community?,” Hofman asked.
The province, in a statement, said the Conservation Officer Service is designed to reduce wildlife conflicts and pointed to a 20 per cent reduction in encounters in the 10 communities that are part of its voluntary Bear Smart program.
None of the areas on The Fur-Bearers list are currently part of that program.
The animal charity has now written a letter to B.C.’s Auditor General, asking for an audit of the Conservation Officer Service. It wants to know how much money the service is spending and why so many bears are killed every year.
The government insisted it is already “financially transparent through the legislative budget and estimates process,” but added, should an audit proceed, it would cooperate fully.
While the RCMP says its use of spyware is lawful, there is 'no doubt' the covert collection by police of personal and other information from Canadians' devices 'is an extremely intrusive practice,' says former privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien. 'What's at play is the balancing of privacy and other public interests,' Therrien said Tuesday.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday tried to turn the news of an FBI search of his Florida estate to his benefit, citing the investigation in text messages and emails soliciting political donations from his supporters.
Two new features being introduced on WhatsApp, which will let you choose who can see when you're active, and to leave groups silently, will start rolling out to all WhatsApp users this month.
The Biden administration is preparing to move forward with a plan to stretch the limited supply of monkeypox vaccine doses that would allow providers to use one-fifth as much per shot, two people familiar with the plans said.
For recovering addicts, the temptation to drink at concerts or comedy shows can be strong, which is why a Vancouver Island man is launching a music and comedy festival that's designed to be a safe and fun place for those living with addictions challenges.
Longtime radio personality John Derringer is leaving his position as host of Q107's 'Derringer in the Morning' after 22 years amid an investigation into verbal abuse and gender discrimination in the workplace.
A Manitoba woman who abused and killed her daughter in one of the province's most notorious crimes has been granted escorted temporary absences from prison.
The search for a man who went missing while swimming near Pelican Pointe on Last Mountain Lake, Sask. will continue on Tuesday, according to a release from Southey RCMP.
Fire restrictions are in place for both Cypress Hills and Saskatchewan Landing provincial parks due to extreme fire hazards, according to the Saskatchewan Parks website.
As the doctor wait list hits 74,000 in New Brunswick, one woman is turning to social media with her pitch to try to find a replacement after losing her own doctor.
A number of people are living in tents in a small park just off Sackville Drive in Lower Sackville, N.S., as they struggle to cope with inflation and find affordable housing.
An 84-year-old Timmins man is facing a list of firearms-related charges following an incident at an undeveloped lot involved in an ongoing dispute with city bylaw officials, police said.
The FBI search of Donald Trump's Florida resort is an extraordinary, historic development given that it targeted a former President of the United States and set off a political uproar he could use to stoke his likely 2024 White House bid.
Hockey Canada has turned to the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASCWR) for help in training its athletes and staff to end sexual violence.
