A young male grizzly bear named Mali, who had an encounter with the residents of Hanson Island in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Broughton Archipelago, has been safely relocated to a remote mainland habitat.
The grizzly bearB次元官网网址檚 safety was ensured by the joint efforts of First Nations, the Conservation Officer Service, local ecotourism operators, the Grizzly Bear Foundation and the Minister of Environment.
In a statement, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, George Heyman, praised the efforts of all involved, calling it B次元官网网址渁 demonstration of the power of partnership and the desire for reconciliation.B次元官网网址�
He further stated that B次元官网网址淲orking together with Indigenous nations and local residents we have created an opportunity for this bear, and this iconic species, to continue to thrive in a wilderness habitat.B次元官网网址�
It is suspected that Mali, named after one of the first Mamalilikulla, ancestors Malilakala, swam to Hanson Island from the B.C. mainland in search of food after waking up from his denning period. In a statement released by the Grizzly Bear Foundation, it is stated that B次元官网网址渢he grizzlyB次元官网网址檚 incredible sense of smell, up to 100 times stronger than a human,B次元官网网址� must have led him across this considerable distance in search of food after hibernation. B次元官网网址淭his time of year, bears go in search of sedge grass, mussels, and clams to fill their bellies.B次元官网网址�
Conservation officers have been long warning residents not to leave out attractants and last year it was legally enforced by Section 33.1 of the B.C. Wildlife Act. It states that people must not leave or place attractants in or about any land or premises where there are likely to be people in a manner in which the attractant can attract dangerous wildlife to the land or premises and be accessible to dangerous wildlife.
While Chief Conservation Officer, Doug Forsdick pointed out that grizzly bear encounters in Broughton Archipelago have increased in recent years, they were able to handle this particular situation well.
B次元官网网址淲e were very fortunate to achieve a positive outcome in what was quickly becoming a high risk scenario for this grizzly bear and individuals in the area,B次元官网网址� said Fordsick.
Indigenous Guardian Jake Smith and Tim McGrady of Farewell Harbour Lodge, who was on-site supporting the conservation officersB次元官网网址� efforts, pointed out that had it not been for the well-planned efforts of everyone involved, B次元官网网址淭his situation could have easily ended up with the death of this grizzly bear.B次元官网网址�
The success of the operation to save Mali was not just a logistical effort but for many of the First Nations people, it was also a B次元官网网址渉ighly emotional one,B次元官网网址� said Chief Richard Sumner of the Mamalilikulla Nation. B次元官网网址淭he killing of grizzly bears in our traditional territory is not an option,B次元官网网址� which is why the whole operation of safely relocating the bear was B次元官网网址渧ery satisfyingB次元官网网址� for them.
B次元官网网址淕rizzly bears are important to our culture and the economics of the bear-viewing industry. WeB次元官网网址檙e looking to build collaborative decision making with the BC Government on grizzly bear conservation in our territory,B次元官网网址� said Mike Willie of Sea Wolf Adventures and a Hereditary Chief of the Kwikwasutinuxw Nation
Over the years grizzly bears have become a keystone species in the umbrella of conservation for other species as well. Therefore collaborative efforts such as the one displayed in relocating Mali are extremely important to set an example of positive outcomes for future conservation efforts. B次元官网网址淲hen we protect grizzly bears, we protect so much more,B次元官网网址� said Nicholas Scapillati, Executive Director of the Grizzly Bear Foundation.
