A protest occurred in Nelson, British Columbia, against the decision by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to euthanize a young grizzly bear. The bear was part of one of two grizzly families frequently observed in and around Nelson. Katie Graves, founder of the Ursa Project Society, described the emotional rally, highlighting the community’s strong reaction to the bear’s death.
The young grizzly bear, identified as a yearling with a leg deformity or injury, was put down despite being mobile and able to keep up with its family. Graves emphasized that many bears in the wild live full lives despite similar conditions. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service defended its decision, citing the bear’s age, injury, and past conflicts as factors that made rehabilitation or relocation unfeasible.
The mother bear, which had previously been relocated in 2023 but returned shortly after, was also discussed. While the fate of the other grizzlies — a sow and two yearlings — remains unknown, the Conservation Service assured that each captured bear would undergo evaluation to determine the appropriate course of action. The incident has sparked a wave of community discussions, with most expressing disapproval of the decision to euthanize the grizzly.
Efforts to mitigate future conflicts include calls for stricter policies to reduce attractants and better secure garbage, aiming to prevent further bear deaths and maintain a safe coexistence between wildlife and communities. The City of Nelson has outlined measures such as deploying bear-resistant garbage bins, conducting public education programs, and enforcing bylaws to address unsecured waste and wildlife attractants effectively.