Fish and Wildlife investigating after grizzly bear cub shot and killed

Sep 17, 2018 | 3:42 PM

Alberta Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to come forward if they have any information about a young grizzly bear that was shot and killed south of the city over the weekend.

On Saturday around 12:40 p.m., Fish and Wildlife officers in Grande Prairie received a Report-a-Poacher call about a young grizzly bear found dead at kilometre 42.5 of the Weyerhaeuser main haul road.

Brendan Cox, Spokesperson for Alberta Fish and Wildlife’s enforcement branch, says an investigation is underway and it appears the bear was hunted illegally.

“A single gunshot wound was found on the bear. Officers believe it had been shot a few hours prior because rigor mortis had not set in yet. Based on the wound, the bear appeared to have been standing when it was shot.”

He says officers believe the bear was shot and killed at the location it was found.

“Charges could be potentially laid because it is an offence to hunt grizzly bears. They are still classified as a threatened species in Alberta,” said Cox.

If it was self-defence, people still need to come forward.

“We have to look at all of the facts at hand and whether or not the bear was an imminent threat. At this point, it does appear that it was hunted illegally, but we would like any information that people can provide on this case. That will help us piece together exactly what happened.”

Anyone who has information that could help this investigation is asked to call the Grande Prairie Fish and Wildlife office at (780) 538-5265 or the 24-hour Report-a-Poacher line at (800) 642-3800.

by Sheena Roszell