Valhalla Wilderness Watch
P.O. Box 335, New Denver, British Columbia V0G 1S0
Phone: 250-358-2610; wildernesswatch@netidea.com

PRESS RELEASE
June 27, 2008

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST COASTAL MARINA OWNER
FOR KILLING OF A YOUNG GRIZZLY BEAR
(Bear was sunk in popular coastal anchorage
by tieing car batteries around its neck)

Two coastal bear researchers are asking the BC Conservation Officer Service to investigate what appears to be a senseless killing of a young grizzly bear by staff of Lagoon Cove Marina on Cracroft Island, near Knight Inlet on the B.C. coast.

The killing occurred on the evening of June 23 just after bear researcher Baden Cross anchored his boat near the marina. He and his wife heard a loud rifle shot from behind the marina. They then observed a tractor dragging a dead bear down to the water. Cross and his wife went to investigate and saw what appeared to them to be a subadult grizzly bear, freshly shot. The marina staff then towed the dead bear out into the cove and sunk it after tying 3 or 4 old car batteries to its neck. When asked by Cross whether they had consulted with the Conservation Officer Service, staff said they had not. When asked if the young grizzly was a problem they said it was not but they just did not want it "hanging around".

According to independent bear biologist Wayne McCrory, who works with Cross, "hanging around" is no excuse for killing an animal. "In my opinion, a young grizzly bear is no more dangerous than the black bears that hang around the marina. There are other ways to deter such bears than killing them, such as using noisemakers and electric fencing. Whether the grizzly bear was attracted to fruit trees known to be on the property or other attractants such as garbage or barbecues should be subject to investigation."

Cross has since laid a complaint with the Conservation Officer Service requesting that the incident be thoroughly investigated and charges laid if necessary. Throwing dead batteries into the ocean should also be investigated under the Fisheries Act.

According to Cross and his wife, who were instrumental in helping save protected areas in the Great Bear Rainforest, they found the whole thing: "shocking, inexcusable and a black eye for BC tourism. "

See Photos at
Higher resolution available at: community.netidea.com\wildernesswatch

Contact: Wayne McCrory: 250-358-7796.
Baden Cross: 250-203-4003