Conservation officers worry that most bears went into hibernation undernourished last year, and may cause even more trouble when they emerge this spring. But some think that killing bears is unnecessary. This large number of bears simply should not have been shot on the spot the way they were. Some environmentalists think relocation is a viable option to killing. But British Columbia's Environment Division disagrees.
Most relocated bears try to return home, according to wildlife officials.
Others become stressed, fail to mate and become nuisances in their unfamiliar surroundings. This black bear was one of the unlucky ones Without sufficient natural food supplies, relocating bears merely postpones the inevitable, causing a slower and more painful death, experts say. It's really a tragic situation from our perspective. Yet people can improve the situation, wildlife officials say. There are things we can do to manage our garbage.