Bear cub killed on Highway 97 near Hart Lake

CHETWYND, B.C. – British Columbia Conservation Officers have been busy dealing with wildlife incidents on roads and fishing violations.

B.C. Conservation Officer Tristan Montjoy says motorists need to be more aware of safety involving animals on highways after an unfortunate incident earlier this week.

“South of Chetwynd, along Highway 97 near Hart Lake, there was a family of grizzly bears, and unfortunately, one of the cubs was struck by a vehicle, and it didn’t survive,” said Montjoy. “The sow grizzly bear and the cub were by the highway, and we had people that were driving by that scene and were getting a little too close to the bears.”

Montjoy has simple instructions to help keep wildlife and humans safe.

“If you are driving along the highway and you do see wildlife, just be cognizant of your safety and don’t leave your vehicle or impede traffic. People are not to feed any wildlife.”

Montjoy says there are fines of up to $345 for people who feed or attract wildlife.

“It’s an offense in B.C. to attract wildlife to a place where there’s likely to be people, and there’s a fine associated with that. One case, in particular, there was a guy feeding bears around Fort Nelson last year who was charged for that type of incident.”

Montjoy says it’s not an offense to hit wildlife with a vehicle, but it is an offense not to report the incident.

“If you do happen to be involved in a motor vehicle incident with any wildlife in B.C., call the [report a problem] line and report the incident because it’s an offense not to report it.”

Another incident from May long weekend in the Halfway River area resulted in a resident being fined for transporting a live fish without a permit.

“A live fish without a permit is a $115 fine.”

The rainbow trout was seized, and violation tickets were issued.