British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service says an investigation is underway to find the person who illegally shot and killed a female black bear near Williams Lake, B.C., leaving behind five cubs.
Conservation officers say the incident took place between May 24 and 25 near the community of Big Lake, northeast of Williams Lake.
The agency said in a statement that it received a report on May 26 after a passing motorist saw a black bear carcass and cubs.
The cubs were captured for rehabilitation at Northern Lights Wildlife Society in Smithers, B.C.
Angelika Langen, a co-founder of the group, said three cubs had been safely captured as of Friday afternoon after live traps and milk were used to lure them in. The centre is still hoping to locate the fourth and fifth.
Langen said the cubs have shown stress and seemed “very confused” without their mother.
“They’re very much relying on each other and leaning on each other for comfort,” said Langen.
But Langen said the cubs were expected to get better and start showcasing their “real personalities” in a week or two.
Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to shoot a sow with cubs, or any black bear younger than two years old.
Conservation officer Jeremy Pauls said in the statement that it’s “an unfortunate situation” because it’s “not every day that a black bear is seen successfully raising five cubs at the same time.”
Pauls said the conservation officers are investigating and are asking for the public’s help.
Langen said once all five cubs are rescued, it’s expected they will stay at the facility until they’re released back to nature next June.
“That would be the time when they would normally leave their mother,” she said. “So we’re going with a natural occurrence there, make it as easy as possible for them to integrate into the wild population again.”
