The search for bear cubs concluded after a bear attack in Whistler’s Kadenwood neighbourhood on April 28th, and the Conservation Officer Service (COS) confirmed this.
The incident occurred when a woman walking her leashed dog was knocked to the ground and bitten by a black bear. In response to the attack, conservation officers euthanized the bear. According to the COS, an examination of the deceased bear revealed a female (sow) showing signs of lactation, raising the possibility that she had cubs nearby.
Following the attack, COS officers remained on site for several hours. Despite their presence and initial reports from the public the following day, no cubs were observed in the area. A live trap and trail cameras were strategically placed in the vicinity to aid the search.
Conservation officers continued actively searching the Kadenwood area for any sign of the cubs in the days following the attack. However, these efforts proved unsuccessful. After six days, the COS removed the traps on May 4. This decision was based on the extended period that had passed without any sign of the cubs, coupled with the presence of other bears in the area.
The Conservation Officer Service has concluded its search efforts for the potential bear cubs.
Daisy Heisler says
Euthanizing a lactating bear was a mistake. The state of the bear should have been suspected and action halted. Bears always protect their young and this bear was doing that. The woman should have been aware that getting between a bear and her cubs was her mistake. Probably through ignorance the woman caused a mother bear to be killed. People are plain stupid and conservation officers are often trigger happy. This should not be repeated.
Donna Friend says
You are so right. The bear could have done serious harm to that woman, all she did was warn her to keep herself & her dog away from the babies. Now mama bear is dead as well as the babies who probably had a horrendous death. So wrong.
Susan Makinen says
I agree with what your are saying. I live in a city that is growing rapidly and we live in bear/wild animals country. We have people buying these houses that come from the city and have no idea what to do with the bears in their yard. They just go crazy saying stupid sh*t like call the police… like for what? Call CO’s….. again so they can come and waste time cause the bear isn’t going to be there anymore. They are talking non sense. That bear it in your backyard because it is walking its path, but know you will there or you left your garbage cans out or bird feeders out, because they do not u derstand that their home that they now live in was that bears home where it lived in the forest. Bears do NOT hunt humans, people are just plain stupid and it makes me upset when I see this kind of situation that does not need to happen. Trust in your work but always verify to make sure you are correct. “When in doubt, check it out.” Slow down and think it through. I am gutted for those cubs.
Emily says
If you are not bear aware, stay out of bear country. I am tired of pretending I don’t side with the bear. I do. Get eaten, ignorant individuals.