Protesters hope to stop BC trophy bear hunt
Posted February 14, 2014 10:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – People will be gathering in front of the legislature in Victoria Saturday afternoon, calling for a ban on bear trophy hunting in BC.
The anti-hunting movement is growing, on the heels of recent developments in, and studies of, the industry.
For one, the government is proposing opening up grizzly bear hunting in two regions where it’s currently banned. It’s floating the idea of resuming the hunt in the Kootenay and Cariboo regions. The hunt was closed in the Cariboo 14 years ago and three years ago in the Kootenays. Both were closed because of kills that exceeded targets.
Meanwhile, in November a study found kills between 2001 and 2011 exceeded targets in BC 20 per cent of the time.
Another recent study suggests more economic activity is generated from bear viewing than from hunting.
Protest organizer Chelsea Turner says we have no way of knowing whether grizzlies are being overhunted, because population estimates are inadequate.
“Some very serious concern in BC about population estimates being very vague. We’ve only had on-the-ground population surveys done in 15 per cent of the province,” she points out.
“Definitely serious concerns in the scientific community. It’s also an issue about how we want BC to be perceived by the world. We’re one of the last places in the world where you can see grizzly bears.”
She points to a recent poll that suggests 88 per cent of British Columbians want the trophy hunt stopped.
The protest happens at 2 p.m. in front of the legislature. Speakers will include Green MLA Dr. Andrew Weaver.
Live Tweets from around the province will be projected onto a large screen for the occasion.
