Black bear deaths by BC Conservation Officers drop to lowest level since 2011

The number of black bears killed across the province by BC Conservation Officers in 2024 dropped to the lowest level in over a decade, marking a significant decrease in human-wildlife conflict.

According to the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS), 303 black bears were dispatched last year, a steep 49.7% decline from the 603 bears killed in 2023.

This figure is the lowest since the COS began publishing predator statistics online in 2011.

Alongside the decrease in bear deaths, the province saw a sharp reduction in black bear conflict calls. The COS reported 17,345 conflict calls in 2024, down by 10,000 from the previous year.

Of these calls, only 1.7% resulted in black bears being dispatched.

“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 of the COS.

“Human-wildlife conflict is complex and cannot be solved by the COS alone. 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.”

The decline in bear deaths can also be attributed to abundant natural food sources, such as berry crops, which kept bears in their natural habitats and reduced their need to enter communities in search of food. However, the COS emphasized that the responsibility for minimizing human-wildlife conflict lies with everyone in the province.

While the overall numbers were down, several regions still saw notable incidents of black bears being dispatched. Vancouver Island accounted for 37 of the 303 bear deaths, with Campbell River (6), Sooke (6), and Port Renfrew (5) recording the highest numbers on the island.

In the Interior, Williams Lake led the province with 13 bear deaths, followed by Kamloops with 11. Other communities with significant bear death totals included:

• Penticton: 7
• Nelson: 8
• West Kelowna: 6
• Kelowna: 5
• Summerland: 5
• Vernon: 5
• Trail: 5
• Coldstream: 4
• Okanagan Falls: 4
• Lake Country: 3
• Grand Forks: 3

The COS continues to emphasize the importance of proactive measures to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, including securing attractants, educating the public, and fostering community efforts to protect both people and wildlife.

A full breakdown of stats on bears killed can be seen here.