After a grizzly bear met a tragic end on an island off the B.C. coast, questions arose about why the bear was not relocated to prevent its demise. Despite assertions from the province that the bear had been moved twice and was not a suitable candidate for relocation, a covert plan to transfer the bear to a remote area was prepared. Erik Blaney, acting manager of lands and resources for the shíshálh Nation, mentioned a detailed relocation scheme that unfortunately never materialized due to the discovery of the bear’s carcass following reports of it being shot and wounded.
The community was surprised to learn about the relocation strategy, as earlier statements from conservation officers had implied it was unfeasible. Some locals believe that if they had been informed about the plan, the bear might have survived. However, Blaney attributed the lack of disclosure to the challenges posed by social media and misinformation.
Blaney, a legislator representing the Tla’amin Nation, disclosed that the relocation plan, initially devised three weeks prior, had received provincial approval with minor adjustments. The specifics of the plan were kept confidential and shared with only a select few individuals, leaving Texada Island residents who had been advocating for the bear’s relocation feeling excluded.
The bear, a five-year-old male, was initially sighted on Texada Island on May 25, prompting concerns among residents in the predator-free community. While some advocated for coexisting peacefully with the bear, many others pushed for its relocation to ensure both its safety and that of the community.
Blaney’s proposal, developed in collaboration with the shíshálh, Homalco, and Tla’amin nations, aimed to trap and transport the bear to Bute Inlet on Homalco territory, providing it with a new habitat alongside other coastal grizzlies. However, the provincial authorities did not authorize the plan, citing policy constraints and potential legal repercussions under the Wildlife Act for executing the relocation without official consent.
Subsequently, the province reversed its decision without public notification. Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill confirmed the approval of the relocation plan nearly two weeks prior, facilitated by the Homalco and shíshálh Nations in collaboration with the Grizzly Bear Foundation.
Blaney emphasized the significance of self-governance for the shíshálh and Tla’amin nations in managing their wildlife resources, underscoring the need for collaborative decision-making with provincial entities.
Due to concerns about jeopardizing the relocation efforts, Blaney maintained strict confidentiality regarding the plan details to prevent interference from social media users. Delays in trap deployment were encountered as misinformation circulated, further complicating the relocation process.
Ultimately, despite the readiness of the relocation team and resources, the bear’s untimely demise was announced by conservation officers before the relocation could be executed, leaving the community mourning the loss. The circumstances surrounding the bear’s death remain under investigation.