The number of black bears "dispatched" in B.C. by the Conservation Officer Service (COS) in 2024 was the lowest in more than a decade.
According to figures released by COS, a total of 303 black bears were dispatched last year, a 49.7 per cent drop from the 603 black bears dispatched in 2023.
This is the lowest number since the COS predator statistics were first published online in 2011.
Numbers for 2024 include 14 black bear deaths on the south Island: six in Sooke, five in Port Renfrew, two in Saanich and one in Langford.
The law enforcement agency also saw a drop in black bear conflict calls to their Report All Poachers and Polluters line, with 17,345 calls made in 2024 – a drop of 10,000 compared to the previous year.
Only 1.7 per cent of the 17,345 reports made in 2024 led to the dispatch of a black bear.
The drop in human-wildlife conflicts across B.C. has been attributed to more public awareness about the importance of securing attractants such as garbage.
COS also believes an abundance of natural food sources last year, like berry crops, contributed to less bears roaming into communities.
“While it is encouraging to see fewer black bear conflicts and black bears dispatched overall, the public continues to have a critical role to play to reduce human-wildlife conflicts," said Cam Schley, chief conservation officer. "Human-wildlife conflict is complex and cannot be solved by the COS alone.
“Attractants continue to drive a significant number of bear conflicts across B.C. Residents, businesses and communities all need to do their part to secure attractants – such as garbage, pet food and birdseed – to help keep people safe and wildlife wild.”
For more information on steps you can take to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, visit: www.WildSafeBC.com.
