The BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) reports a potential problem grizzly bear was recently safely relocated to a wilderness area outside of Invermere.

The COS were made aware of the bear after a farmer reported his three miniature horses had been killed. Conservation Officers attended and assessed the site, which concluded a grizzly bear was involved, COs reported on social media.

“Over the weekend, Conservation Officers safely captured the bear. It was tranquilized and assessed in consultation with wildlife biologists with the Ministry of Forests.

“Every wildlife conflict situation is assessed individually and takes into account several factors, such as the risk to public safety and the animal’s ability to survive in the wild,” BCCOS explained.

“There were no reports of aggressive behaviour towards people or additional conflict history associated with this bear, a healthy male, and the decision was made to relocate the animal.

“This bear had likely followed a creek drainage out of the Rocky Mountains to the lower valley bottom to search for available food sources. The higher elevation natural berry crops were no longer available, due to the time of year and prolonged drought conditions in the late summer and early fall.”

In consultation with wildlife biologists, the bear was fitted with a GPS tracking collar – as is standard with grizzlies in the Kootenays – and released to an undisclosed location outside of Invermere, BCCOS said.

Provincial wildlife biologists will monitor the bear’s movements as part of efforts to compile data on the species.

BCCOS photo

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