Black bear was killed after becoming conditioned to human food -Fort Nelson

Action was taken after numerous reports of a black bear roaming residential areas...

FORT NELSON, B.C. — The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) urges local residents to secure all wildlife attractants following the humane euthanasia of a food-conditioned black bear on August 19, 2026.

Numerous reports of a male black bear roaming residential areas, approaching doorsteps, and overturning garbage bins were received. Officers confirmed the bear had lost its natural fear of humans and had become highly conditioned to human food sources, creating an immediate public safety risk.

"We have been receiving consistent reports of bears accessing garbage and unharvested fruit trees in the area," said Rogan Thin, a Conservation Officer for the Peace and Northern Rockies region. "The primary concern we hear from the public is the presence of bears in residential areas, and unsecured garbage remains the number one attractant driving these conflicts."

The BCCOS emphasizes that wildlife management relies on community cooperation. Allowing bears access to non-natural food sources trains them to forage in residential neighborhoods, a behavior that frequently requires lethal enforcement to protect the community.

Essential Steps for Residents

• Secure Garbage: Store household waste inside a secure garage, shed, or bear-resistant bin, placing it curbside only on the morning of collection.
• Manage Fruit Trees: Harvest ripe fruit promptly and regularly clear fallen fruit from the ground.
• Eliminate Other Food Sources: Clean outdoor barbecues immediately after use and store bird feeders indoors during active bear seasons.

Please report any sightings of food-conditioned or aggressive wildlife immediately to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.

-News97.ca with files from BCCOS