A third grizzly bear from a popular bear family in the West Kootenay region has been put down. The mother bear and her three yearlings were drawing attention in Nelson for roaming around the area. Authorities determined the bears posed a risk as they had grown accustomed to humans and were seen going through yards and trash.

The mother bear, previously relocated and brought back to Nelson, was euthanized this month along with one of the yearlings, which was not fit for relocation due to its young age and health issues, including a noticeable limp. The other two yearlings, a male and a female, were moved but later reappeared in Christina Lake. While the female has moved away, the male continued to visit residential areas and was considered unsuitable for a second relocation attempt.

According to wildlife officials, the male yearling was humanely euthanized following provincial guidelines on human-wildlife conflicts. Provincial wildlife biologist Garth Mowat mentioned that the bears had become too comfortable around people and had been relying on human food for sustenance over the years. Efforts were made to transition the bears back to a natural diet, but unfortunately, the outcome was not successful.

Andrew Milne from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service emphasized that euthanizing bears is a last resort and a difficult decision for officers. The presence of poor food sources, aggravated by drought conditions in the B.C. Interior, may lead more bears to venture into communities in search of sustenance. Residents are urged to remove potential food sources like fruit trees, garbage, and bird feeders to mitigate encounters with wildlife and reduce conflicts.