Dear Editor,

Many of us were hoping for a miracle for Boo, the escaped grizzly at Kicking Horse. We hoped his instincts and other wild bears would take him far away from his cage, from humans and to live 'wild'. But alas he returned Saturday like a runaway child to the security and comforts of his caregivers. Boo will pay a price for his wild adventure, he will lose his vital parts, forever wear a radio collar and he may have to live in a smaller, more fortified enclosure for the rest of his days. One thing Boo will now have are his memories and no one can take them away, though they may haunt or comfort him over the years.

And to clarify a misconception held by many; Boo, Cari, Grinder and Coola, when orphaned and then rescued, had wildlife rehabilitators in Northern BC standing by to take them in and give them a second chance to be wild but they were re-routed to a newly opened refuge at a ski resort. I will continue to urge the government to send the next orphaned grizzly cub(s)to an experienced bear rehabber as the first, most ethical option and sending a cub to a zoo the last option.

Sincerely,
Barbara Murray
Bear Matters BC
North Vancouver