Pacific Wild is publicly challenging BC's Minister of Environment over the number of bear kills by the BC Conservation Service, calling for change in a letter distributed publicly.
The letter, dubbed "Dead Wrong," has been shared with the media, and says thousands of black bears have been killed in last 8 years by the government agency.
Consultant Bryce Casavant says Minister George Heyman issued a pre-Christmas news release insisting that "not a single conservation officer relishes the thought of having to put down an animal."
He minces no words in talking about the numbers:
"The current kill statistics are absolutely alarming. Over 4,000 black bears killed in B.C. in the last 8 years, in 2019 alone 542 with more coming because the December kills stats won't be reported until January 11th. This is shocking, and it's important for the minister to understand that B.C. is not a shooting gallery for government employees."
Casavant and Pacific Wild call on Heyman to require conservation officers to carry body cameras, and for him to distance himself from defending the service:
" We need independent oversight of these law enforcement operations, especially when we are looking at these high kill statistics over the last 8 years. We need independent oversight. The minister needs to make that a priority. Get on with it already. And I think independent oversight and body cameras is a good step towards showing the public that the minister cares about the actions of conservation officers, and that he's willing and able to ensure there are appropriate accountability mechanisms in place."
CFAX 1070 reached out to Minister George Heyman's office for comment.
A statement from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy says last year alone, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) received more than 20,000 calls related to conflicts with bears.
They assure officers always consider all options before euthanizing an animal, and wherever possible make efforts to relocate or rehabilitate problem wildlife -- adding public safety is the top priority, and bears that are conditioned to human food sources, and not afraid of humans, are not good candidates for relocation or rehabilitation.
The ministry adds the men and women who make up the service are dedicated individuals, with a desire to protect B.C.'s fish, wildlife and natural resources.