Jubilation over NDP decision to stop grizzly hunting in British Columbia
Announcement to end grizzly hunt across the province is truly welcome news.
Raincoast Conservation Foundation is hailing the NDP government’s announcement ending grizzly hunting in not only the Great Bear Rainforest, but the entire province.
It is an enormous conservation victory for wildlife in British Columbia.
And it is a victory shared by a host of committed conservation organizations, First Nations communities, eco-tourism companies, and scientists.
It is also a victory shared by the public, who have continued to demonstrate their strong support for protecting BC’s grizzly bears.
“Through consultations this past fall, we have listened to what British Columbians have to say on this issue and it is abundantly clear that the grizzly hunt is not in line with their values,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
We have been working with First Nations for the protection of habitat and life requisites for grizzly bears and other large carnivores in the Great Bear Rainforest for over two decades. We have advocated for an end to the trophy hunting of grizzly bears for as long. Raincoast provided extensive feedback and evidence as participants in the government’s recent consultation process on the grizzly hunt; we are elated that our input was heeded.
“We commend the NDP government for stopping the trophy hunting of grizzlies as it will ensure that the iconic bears of the Great Bear Rainforest and all of British Columbia will finally be protected from decades of hunting persecution. We have been working intensively to achieve this goal for 20 years, so it is incredibly gratifying to see it finally come to fruition,” said Brian Falconer, guide outfitter coordinator for Raincoast. “We also applaud the government for recognizing and investing in a new non-extractive conservation economy with this decision.”
“After years of work on this file, my colleagues and I are absolutely overjoyed this decision has finally been made,” said Adam Olsen, Green MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “The results of the consultation were clear and government has listened. We couldn’t be more thrilled.”
The grizzly hunt announcement allows Raincoast and our Coastal First Nations partners to continue our focus on purchasing the remaining commercial hunting tenures in the Great Bear Rainforest. This has been a long time coming, and we look forward to stopping the trophy hunting of all large carnivores including wolves, black bears, and cougars in the Great Bear Rainforest.
Are you looking for a way to make change?
You can help us. We would love for you to help us.
Protect bears, wolves, and cougars in the Great Bear Rainforest
Donations, no matter the size, take us one step closer to protecting bears, wolves and other carnivores. Help us stop commercial trophy hunting in more than a quarter of the Great Bear Rainforest.
