In Bella Coola, British Columbia, a tragic encounter has left a community divided and concerned. A grizzly bear mom, an iconic symbol of the wilderness, accidentally caused harm to children during an unexpected encounter on school grounds. However, what is often overlooked in this situation is the state of the bears themselves; injured, confused, and acting out of survival instinct, rather than malice.  Now the COS want to trap and kill the mother! They will cut open her stomach to see if she has eaten garbage, and dissect her for “science” and “rabies testing”, despite her actions being defensive, not aggressive.  They are using SNARES that could injure or even kill other animals when the noose catches their neck or feet. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/grizzly-bear-attack-search-bc-conservation-officer-service-9.6989324

They are a mom and cubs!  The paw prints are little! https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/grizzly-bear-attack-search-bc-conservation-officer-service-9.6989324

https://share.google/FLsOkeKJQNkwG2Wdf

The residents, who are Indigenous, do not want the bear family killed.  https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/such-a-traumatic-event-bc-community-still-reeling-from-grizzly-attack/

One village elder, while upset bears did eat some of her food, and damaged her house, is calling for the COS to save them.  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/search-for-grizzly-bear-in-bella-coola-attack-continues-9.6989778

The Nuxalk Nation considers the bears sacred. They do not want them killed, and have asked the bears what to do differently.  Killing bears is forbidden in Nuxalk culture.  The agreement has been to leave the river area for the bears.  The white government Conservation Officers are quiet about what they are doing, since their usual tactic is to kill. 

Jason Moody, father of one of the children, is a Nuxalk wildlife advocate and says, as a sovereign nation, they have set up a humane Nan Coexistence Plan that is no kill and actually works.  https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6996588

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-grizzly-bear-attack-bella-coola-nuxalk-indigenous-community/

Email the Conservation Officers and ask them to stop.  https://dir.gov.bc.ca/gtds.cgi?show=Branch&organizationCode=ENV&organizationalUnitCode=CONSRV

Grizzly bears are intrinsic to the biodiversity and cultural heritage of British Columbia. With only around 15,000 grizzly bears in the province, each individual plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem. Unfortunately, the incident has sparked a wave of emotions, leading to calls for the bear to be hunted and killed. This reaction, though understandable, does not address the root issue or prevent future incidents. 

The focus should be on a humane and effective approach: live capture, medical treatment, and subsequent translocation. By opting for this path, we ensure that the bear family receives the medical attention they desperately need due to their injuries, while simultaneously safeguarding our children and communities from further unintentional harm. Translocating the bears to a more appropriate habitat could prevent further human-wildlife conflicts and serve as a compassionate example of modern wildlife management. 

If a captive setting is needed, they are limited but do exist.  https://www.grizzlyencounter.org/

https://kickinghorseresort.com/purchase/boo-grizzly-bear/#:~:text=Grizzly%20Bear%20Refuge,INTERPRETIVE%20TOURS

https://www.grousemountain.com/wildlife-refuge

Furthermore, allowing children to witness a situation where wildlife and humans can coexist peacefully can foster a sense of responsibility and empathy towards our natural world. We do not want the children involved to bear the psychological burden of thinking that an animal family lost their life due to unfortunate circumstances beyond their control. 

We call on local and provincial authorities to implement this compassionate solution. We request the support of wildlife experts, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations to assist in this endeavor. Together, we can protect both the grizzly bears and our children, echoing the harmony and respect we wish to cultivate in our communities. 

Sign this petition to halt the hunt and promote a humane resolution for the future of both humans and wildlife in Bella Coola.