Listen Live
Listen Live

PG led all of BC with 76 black bear deaths in 2023

Prince George continues to be the deadliest city in BC for black bears.

According to data from the BC Conservation Officer Service, 76 bears were killed in the northern capital last year – more than doubling Kamloops’ tally of 31.

In 2022, 32 black bears were killed in PG.

The Fur-Bearers, a non-partisan, registered charity used a freedom of information legislation to access the data.

“Following a deadly year for black bears in British Columbia, we expected to see the familiar names of communities where issues remain unresolved,” says Lesley Fox, Executive Director of The Fur-Bearers.

“Unfortunately, this year the BC COS only provided ten communities – and did not tell us where they killed 356 of the alarming 603 black bears killed.”

The list of black bear deaths submitted by the Conservation Officer Service shows that the Cariboo and northern BC regions are well represented on this list.

Here is a full breakdown of black bear deaths by community:

  • Prince George 76
  • Kamloops 31
  • Mackenzie 28
  • Smithers 24
  • Quesnel 22
  • Burns Lake 17
  • Vanderhoof 17
  • Squamish 11
  • Fort St. James 11
  • Fraser Lake 10

“The location of where over 50% of the black bears killed remains unknown by the public, and that’s completely unacceptable both for conservation and government accountability,” said Fox.

“We’re calling on the BC COS to begin publishing bear kill statistics monthly, by location, for the public to see. There is no way for communities to do better when they don’t know there’s a problem.”

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

IIO investigating Prince George death in late August

The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. (IIO) is investigating a Prince George man's death.

Northern Healthy Communities Fund to assist with food bank capacity, long-term care home in PG

Since its inception four years ago, the northern health communities fund has supported approximately 130 projects with a total of $25 million.

Overall approach failing, Downtown PG President tells Public Safety Committee

Prince George's Standing Committee on Public Safety held their October meeting at City Hall yesterday. (Tuesday)The meeting started with an update from Councillor Kyle Sampson, who sits on the Intergovernmental Affairs committee, outlining how City Council advocates to the other levels of government. 

PG RCMP searching for 32-year-old wanted woman

The Prince George RCMP are seeking the public's help in locating 32-year-old Julianna Emily Johnnie Rutherford.

UNBC gets additional funding and new Canada Research Chair

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) secured over $3.5 million in federal research funding, along with a new Canada Research Chair position.
- Advertisement -