Castlegar RCMP have killed a bear that reportedly charged at three people, including kids.
RCMP say on Monday afternoon they received a report of an “aggressive” bear near a school playground. The caller said the collared bear had charged two young children and a man.
Officers located the bear, which ran toward the police car before moving through the neighbourhood. Officers followed the animal to a home in the 700 block of 5th Avenue, where it was seen eating from fruit trees.
Police said after consulting with the conservation service, they decided the bear posed an ongoing threat to public safety and would need to be euthanized. After an officer killed the animal, conservation officers removed the carcass.
“Castlegar RCMP recognizes that incidents involving wildlife can be distressing for the community,” Staff Sgt. Monty Taylor said in a news release. “Public safety was the primary consideration in this response, and the decision was made in consultation with our partners after the bear exhibited aggressive behaviour toward multiple individuals, including children.”
The local WildsafeBC co-ordinator told Vista Radio in August that while there was more bear activity in the Castlegar area this year compared to last, conservation officers had not destroyed any bears.
