Bear cubs await their fate in Vancouver Island shelter

VICTORIA — Two orphaned black bear cubs that owe their lives to a Vancouver Island conservation officer still face an uncertain future.

The cubs, named Athena and Jordan, sat in the corner of a holding pen on Wednesday at the North Island Wildlife Rescue Association awaiting their fate, which could involve rehabilitation, release or euthanasia.

The brother and sister were spared a quick demise because conservation officer Bryce Casavant apparently refused orders to kill them.

Insp. Chris Doyle of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the cubs’ future remains unclear because when wild animals — even very young ones — get close to humans they become habituated.

“Obviously, the preference is to keep the bears alive and wild and to prevent conflicts from happening in the first place,” Doyle said.

B.C. Environment Ministry statistics show conservation officers destroyed 32 black bears last month, relocated 10 bears and frightened off 21. No black bear cubs were sent to rehabilitation.

Doyle said bears, especially cubs, are not handed an immediate death sentence when they come into conflict with humans, but the odds are not in their favour.

“Senior ministry staff, biologists, as well as wildlife veterinarians will determine how the orphaned cubs are dealt with,” he said.

The cubs were orphaned when their mother was killed after breaking into a meat freezer inside a mobile home in Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island.

The photogenic pair, believed to be about five months old, gained international attention when it was reported that Casavant was suspended for refusing an order to destroy the cubs last weekend.

Doyle said he could not discuss what he described as a personnel matter, but did not dispute reports that Casavant was suspended with pay for his refusal to kill the cubs.

About 50,000 people have signed an online petition asking that Casavant be reinstated.