The Nelson Grizzly Bear Family: Our Concern and Commitment
The loss of a mother grizzly and one of her yearling cubs in the Nelson area is tragic and difficult news, felt by us, by many in the community, and beyond. We are also concerned for the two remaining yearlings as the situation continues to unfold.
These are challenging situations, making it especially important that public discussion is grounded in accurate, factual information and a clear understanding of the circumstances. We have spoken with the BC Conservation Officer Service and reached out to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship for context and information. We recognize how difficult these situations can be for communities, Conservation Officers, and others working to keep both people and bears safe.
It is also important to understand the broader context in which situations like this are occurring. Grizzly bears are navigating changing landscapes, where the climate crisis, wildfires, habitat loss, and seasonal conditions can affect the availability of natural foods and bring bears into closer proximity to communities in search of food. Recognizing the pressures bears are facing can help us better understand the factors that contribute to human-bear conflict, while also reminding us of the shared responsibilities that come with living in grizzly bear habitat, including the critical importance of securing attractants, the roles and opportunities of municipalities for proactive conflict prevention through attractant bylaws, education, and enforcement.
The Grizzly Bear Foundation is dedicated to the welfare and conservation of the grizzly bear. Every bear matters. Our approach is solutions-oriented and grounded in collaboration and respectful relationships. We are actively engaging with partners and decision-makers to better understand this situation, support accurate information sharing, and advocate for stronger conflict prevention, non-lethal approaches, and evidence-based decision-making.
This work is part of our larger effort and commitment to create lasting change in how human-bear conflict is prevented and managed in B.C.—strengthening the tools, capacity, and approaches that make coexistence possible, and advocating for provincial policy and guidelines that help reduce preventable bear deaths. We work to keep the welfare of grizzly bears at the heart of the conversations and decisions that affect them, knowing that better outcomes for bears and communities take all of us working together.
Banner photo by John E. Marriott
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Ken Johnson
August 28, 2026
Comments from the grizzly bear advocates such as “she’s a good mom” and “bear ambassador” convey an ignorance of grizzly bear realities. Tik Tok and other media content generators are trying and succeeding in some cases in “humanizing” wild beasts to the ultimate detriment of the beast (euthanasia) and potential injury and even death for the humans.