Sayward bears with a scarred bruin, likely Prince the grizzly
Bear might have been chased off territory on mainland by others, former guide says
The grizzly bear that has been wandering around Sayward and turned up across from the village’s school is likely a big bruin nicknamed Prince that was forced from his mainland territory by other males.
Former guide Gerald Whalley said the 225-kilogram grizzly has a scar under his left eye, possible evidence of a fight over territory, and has been identified by adventure-tourism guides, who named the bruin after sightings near Phillips Arm, northeast of Sayward on the mainland.
At least one other younger grizzly has been spotted on Sayward’s dock this spring, and there are reports of up to seven grizzlies in the surrounding valley.
Grizzly bears have been swimming to Vancouver Island for years, particularly around the Sayward area, where short swims and island hopping allow the animals to find new food sources such as fish and berries as well as elk and deer. Whalley, the representative of Kyuquot, Nootka and Sayward on the Strathcona Regional District board, said there could be as many as 25 grizzlies on the North Island.
He said a ban on trophy hunting in British Columbia is likely the reason for a population explosion on the mainland that is forcing younger bears out of traditional territories in search of food. Only First Nations are allowed to hunt grizzlies.
“It’s not surprising that they are here,” Whalley said. “Once the provincial government outlawed hunting, the younger males have no other place to go but here. They are very good swimmers — just take a look at a grizzly paw.”
Grizzly sightings are happening almost daily in the area.
Whalley said residents are so far being cautious with their garbage and in their travels along village streets and trails.
The bear believed to be Prince has mainly been staying in the Salmon River estuary, but has been seen several times in the village. On Tuesday, it showed up grazing on a patch of brush across the road from the village’s school.
It has also been seen swimming in a pond in the village.
Acting Mayor Norm Kirschner told CHEK News this week the sightings are worrying. “It could be really serious, and there’s a lot of concern about that,” he said.
Students were told to stay inside the school until conservation and police officers were satisfied that the animal was no longer in the area.
Whalley, who lives along the Salmon River and was a hunting guide in the Dease Lake area, said he recently watched a grizzly float past his home looking for fish. “In my opinion, grizzlies and humans just don’t mix,” he said. “They are potentially a serious hazard and don’t mix well in residential areas.”
Humans are typically in danger when they get between a grizzly and its food source — the bears will cover a fallen elk or deer with brush and return to feed regularly — or between a female grizzly and its cubs.
So far, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service has said there is no evidence that female grizzlies have become established on the North Island, or that dens have been found, although Whalley said the geography and food sources are ideal.
Whalley said most of the bears on the Island return to the mainland in late summer in search of a mate. He’s hopeful there won’t be any human-bear contact this spring and summer in the region, and that residents continue to exercise extreme caution.
“Some residents are very concerned, others not so much,” said Whalley, adding a charging grizzly would have devastating effects. “They can move 60 feet a second. If you had a rifle, you might get one shot off.” Asked if bear spray was a good deterrent, he said it would be, under ideal circumstances. “A slight breeze and you could spray yourself,” Whalley said, “and [it would] end up being sauce for the bear.”