Fate of orphaned bear cubs still undecided
A group advocating for the province to allow private rehabilitation of orphaned and injured bears says it lacks confidence in the government’s approach, after meeting with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) on Monday.
Last month, the province stated it was preparing to end a ban on the private rehabilitation of orphaned bear cubs, after four young bears were found alone or orphaned in Alberta since last spring.
The policy has resulted in animals being put down or sent to zoos. But officials stated they were working to develop a new protocol in time for the 2018 spring bear hunt, which could see wildlife sanctuary operators allowed to take in orphaned black bears.
However, the group says that protocol hasn’t yet been delivered for review.
“Our meeting this morning with AEP was not very promising,” said wildlife biologist Lisa Dahlseide. “Their goal was to have it ready by April 1 which is when the spring bear hunt starts (and) which inevitably always orphans bear cubs. But, with only 20 days to go … they haven’t produced any results or been able to prove how that’s coming along. We’re not very confident that it will be ready in time.”
Public outcry has been spurred by the fate of a young bear nicknamed Russell, who was found injured in the Springbank area last year. Dahlseide and others lobbied unsuccessfully for the province to allow a local wildlife rescue group to take in Russell — who exhibited an injured left hind leg — and rehabilitate him over the winter.
Wildlife biologists have said Russell is likely now hibernating. But Laurel Ambrose, a member of Russell’s Private Advocacy Group, said they haven’t been able to confirm if this is the case, or if the bear is even still alive.
On Monday, Liberal MLA David Swann tabled a petition in the legislature, organized by Dahlseide and Ambrose, which urges the government to reassess the policy in the province’s Wildlife Act that restricts rehabilitation of large wildlife due to concerns about habituation to humans and infection risks. The petition was signed by 3,234 Albertans.
“We’re asking them to review that in light of research that shows that these risks are not significant,” Swann said. “Other provinces are rehabilitating animals in these conditions and they’re following the evidence.”
Of all bears rehabilitated over the past 30 years, just six per cent have had conflicts with humans post-relief, according to studies cited by the group.
“Current Alberta wildlife management responses is to kill all black bear, grizzly bear — even though they’re threatened — cougar, coyote and wolf orphans. There’s no need for this,” said Dahlseide. “It’s unnecessary; it’s proven that they can be successfully rehabilitated without posing any risks to human safety.
“There is no scientific backing or evidence or anything to support the ban. The science supports wildlife rehabilitation; (it) shows and reflects that it is a successful conservation tool.”
Shannon Phillips, minister of Environment and Parks, said Monday that changes to the province’s protocol could still be coming.