RELEASE: Grizzly Bear Foundation Partners with the Province to Develop a New Approach for Conservation Officers
Protecting Bears and Communities: Grizzly Bear Foundation Partners with the Province to Develop a New Approach for Conservation Officers
VANCOUVER, September 9th, 2024 – The Grizzly Bear Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with the Province of British Columbia to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and enhance the well-being of grizzly and black bears across the province.
Bears are iconic species vital to BC’s ecosystems and Indigenous cultures. Their health and well-being are important to people throughout British Columbia. The Grizzly Bear Foundation recognizes this government’s dedication to wildlife stewardship through the Together for Wildlife process. We are proud to work with the Province to review current policies and procedures and develop a new approach to the handling of encounters between people and bears for the Conservation Officer Service.
“This is a tremendous and unique opportunity to advance the well-being and stewardship of all bears in British Columbia. This work will take an essential step towards addressing calls from First Nations, conservation organizations and the public to address the number of bear deaths in their communities and develop support for human-bear coexistence,” said Nicholas Scapillati, Executive Director of the Grizzly Bear Foundation.
This initiative proudly acknowledges the leadership that First Nations contribute to shaping this process, which aligns with the Province’s commitment to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). With many First Nation communities situated in locations ideal for collaboration, their leadership is essential to enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of the Conservation Officer Service.
“Indigenous knowledge, scientific understanding of bear behaviour, innovative techniques, and independent review will be at the core of this work,” said Scapillati.
The partnership will create a joint government and independent expert panel as well as a third-party review committee. Recommendations will be developed for improving current policies and procedures, including enhanced conservation officer training, orphaned cub procedures, relocation procedures, the application of the latest care, handling, and non-lethal techniques, and more.
In a statement from the Province, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, George Heyman, and the Minister of Land, Water and Natural Resource Stewardship, Nathan Cullen, said:
“We are grateful for the partnership with the Grizzly Bear Foundation, as well as all the partners who will help guide this work. We expect what we learn together will help inform stewardship and conservation activity of bears in our province.”
Grizzly Bear Foundation expects to provide the Province with expert recommendations for a new approach by spring 2025.
Contacts:
Nicholas Scapillati, Executive Director
Grizzly Bear Foundation
604-551-2489
nscapillati@grizzlybearfoundation.com
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Media Relations
250-953-3834
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Media Relations
250-893-4403
About Grizzly Bear Foundation:
Grizzly Bear Foundation is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and conservation of the grizzly bear across North America. Guided by science and Indigenous knowledge, we work collaboratively through research, public education, and advocacy. Find us on Facebook, X, Instagram.
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
