I heard about the runner who experienced his second bear attack. Allow me to say I am glad that he managed to get away with non life-threatening injuries.
However, the part I am having difficulties with is the conservation officer who put the mother bear down. I do not understand why this would even happen. The mother bear was doing what she only knew what to do, which was protect her cubs. There is a saying, "never get between a mother bear and her cubs", and I have to believe this would apply to anyone and everything. So why would a mother bear, who was doing what she only knew to do, be put to her death and have her cubs grow up without their mother?
I believe this mother bear should not have been put to death. She did absolutely nothing wrong, she perceived a threat to her cubs and her environment and behaved accordingly. I do not know the conservation rules of standard but they should have a standard of keeping mother and her young together in a safe environment, not separated by death, transporting the young without their mother, living in an area run by humans and then released into the wild when they will be without mother's nuturing and teaching. It just seems so wrong, to shoot the mother and have the cubs grow without her teachings and her protection. I have spoken to others who actually think the same as just stated.
Sharon Hollis
Prince George
