Nonprofit blames end of grizzly bear hunt for rise in attacks
The BC Wildlife Federation says there has been an increase in grizzly bear attacks in recent years and blames the end of the province’s grizzly bear hunt in 2017.
“Without hunting pressure, grizzly bears and humans will increasingly occupy the same spaces with inevitable consequences,” Jesse Zeman, executive director of the nonprofit, said in a news release.
The British Columbia government said in 2017 that the ban was aimed at protecting one of the province’s “most iconic species.”
“We also want to promote the healthy grizzly bear viewing economy in British Columbia and provide everyone with the tremendous opportunity to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat,” George Heyman, then environment minister, said at the time.
A government statement said First Nations would still be able to hunt grizzly bears under Aboriginal rights for food, social or ceremonial purposes, or treaty rights.
