Non-profit blames end of grizzly hunt for increase in attacks
The B.C. Wildlife Federation says there has been an increase in grizzly bear attacks in recent years and blames the end of the grizzly hunt in the province in 2017.
“With no hunting pressure, grizzlies and humans will increasingly occupy the same spaces with inevitable consequences,” said Jesse Zeman, the non-profit’s executive director, in a news release.
The B.C. government said in 2017 that the ban was intended to protect one of the province’s “most iconic species.”
“We also want to promote the healthy grizzly bear viewing economy in B.C. and give everyone the tremendous opportunity to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat,” said George Heyman, then environment minister, at the time.
A government release said First Nations would still be able to harvest grizzly bears pursuant to Aboriginal rights for food, social, or ceremonial purposes, or treaty rights.
