Groups Call for End to B.C. Bear Hunt

First Nations and environmental groups called Tuesday for an end to trophy hunting of grizzly bears (pictured) and black bears in British Columbia. The government responded with further area protections for both species.Photograph by: Mathieu Belanger file, Reuters

Imagine the Great Bear Rainforest without bears.

That’s what B.C. First Nations and environmental groups asked the public to do Tuesday as they launched a campaign to end grizzly and black bear trophy hunting.

“It’s not a hunt. And it’s not trophy hunting. It’s slaughtering,” said Arnie Bellis, vice-president of the Council of the Haida Nation, speaking at a press conference at Simon Fraser University.

In 2007, 430 grizzly bears were killed in B.C. — 87 per cent by sport hunters.

“It doesn’t make economic sense, it doesn’t make biologic sense. It’s damaging B.C.’s bears, but it is also damaging B.C.’s reputation,” Ian McAllister, a conservationist with Pacific Wild, said of the practice.

B.C. bears are in the middle of a battle between First Nations communities, who have set up eco-tourism businesses that take tourists to photograph the bears, and B.C.’s guide outfitter industry, which take hunters to kill the bears.

Art Sterritt, executive director of the Coastal First Nations Turning Point Initiative, said the government must manage bears to promote sustainable tourism.

“This is not a sustainable industry,” Sterritt said of trophy hunting. “It is jeopardizing the sustainable industries we are trying to create.”

Environment Minister Barry Penner said the ministry was taking action by expanding protections.

“We are setting aside a further 475,000 hectares where grizzly bear hunting will not be allowed and a further 170,000 hectares where black bear hunting will not be allowed,” he said Tuesday.

The new closures will take effect in June and bring the total area closed to grizzly hunting to 1.9 million hectares.

Scott Ellis of the Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. said bear hunting brings in $120 million a year, $2.5 million generated from guided grizzly bear hunts alone, which charge up to $20,000 per trip.

He said a moratorium would hurt B.C.’s 230 guide businesses.

“Bear hunting, in spring specifically, is a very important part of our businesses. Without bear hunting many wouldn’t be viable.”

The Environment Ministry estimates there are approximately 16,000 grizzly bears and up to 160,000 black bears in B.C.

— with files from Suzanne Fournier

eoconnor@theprovince.com

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