In 2015, I made headlines for saving two bears. This May, help me save even more.
Few experiences are more awe-inspiring than seeing a grizzly bear in the wild.
Every year, thousands of people travel to our province from over the globe hoping to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures.
A grizzly bear cub playing on the banks of the Atnarko river. Image via : Mick Thompson/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
As a former BC Conservation Officer, I am fortunate enough to have had several experiences with bears.
I have seen grizzly bears eat salmon from our rivers and roam through our wilderness. I have held black bear cubs in my arms and felt their bristly fur. And in 2015, I made international headlines for refusing to kill two bear cubs, a decision that would ultimately cost me a job I loved.
Bears are and always will be a big part of my life.
That's why the start of April is always a somber occasion for me. It's the start of BC's trophy hunt for grizzly bears.
The grizzly bear trophy hunt is frustrating for many reasons.
A mama grizzly keeps watch while her cub fishes for salmon. Image via : llsproat/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Of course, we’re losing our bears. But it’s also the BC Liberal government ignoring British Columbians – the vast majority of whom want the trophy hunt to end immediately.
A 2016 Insights West survey indicated that 91% of British Columbians oppose trophy hunting. Fans of the hunt like to ignore these surveys. They say that only people in big cities – those who don’t spend time in the wild among animals – who want the hunt to end.
They’re wrong.
Just last week another Insights West poll revealed that British Columbians living in rural areas want to end the hunt, too. These aren’t insignificant numbers either: 81% in Kamloops-North Thompson, 79% in Boundary-Similkameen, 78% in Fraser-Nicola, 66% in Cariboo North and 65% in Kootenay East want the grizzly bear hunt ended.
Ending the trophy hunt would protect grizzly bears and fuel our economy. Studies have shown that grizzly bear viewing is the future of ecotourism in British Columbia, significantly outperforming the guided hunts.
Still, the hunt goes on. Why?
For too long the Christy Clark government has ignored the wishes of British Columbians by allowing this reckless hunt to continue.
A stunning adult grizzly bear in the Atnarko river. Image via : Mick Thompson/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
That’s why I am proud to stand up with John Horgan and the BC NDP, who have pledged to end the trophy hunting of grizzly bears.
You can help. On May 9, vote to Build a Better BC – not just for people, but for all of British Columbians, including our bears!
Featured image via: Jerry Meaden/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.