Grizzly bear captured in Whistler, will be relocated away from community
Global News
A grizzly bear that has been frequenting Whistler, B.C., was captured Thursday and will be relocated amid concerns it could become habituated to humans.
Conservation officers have captured a grizzly bear that’s been making Whistler its home for several weeks.
The bear has been spotted in several areas, including a soccer field adjacent to Myrtle Phillips Elementary School, prompting the park’s closure to the public.
B.C. Conservation Officer Service Insp. Simon Gravel said the bear wasn’t showing any aggressive behaviour, but that they wanted to catch and relocate it before it became to acclimated to humans.
“Obviously being in proximity of residences and a school creates quite a bit of concern from residents, and fair enough, however the conservation of grizzly bears in B.C. is important, and this bear not being a problem, the best outcome was to give the bear some space and hoping he was going to move on,” he said.
“Unfortunately the bear didn’t move on.”
Black bears are no strangers to Whistler, but a larger and more potentially dangerous grizzly was another matter.
The bear was spotted at least 10 times in as many days on one local street, and locals told Global News they were growing increasingly concerned.
“Statistically we know grizzlies do more harm than a black bear, so we are careful and especially with the dogs, we keep them on the leash,” Whistlerite Mechthild Facundo said.