TERRACE, B.C. – The BC Conservation Officer Service has issued an urgent warning to the public to keep their distance from Kermode (Spirit) bears, as a recent spike in sightings and social media posts draws crowds to highways and forest roads near Terrace and Kitimat.
Conservation officers are expressing growing concern over public behaviour, noting that some people are attempting to get too close or even lure the rare bears for a better photo. This behaviour, they warn, is not only dangerous but can be a death sentence for the animals.
“I know people want to go and see them,” a local conservation officer stated. “But the more people that do that, the more chance there is that somebody may feed one of those bears and then that’s not going to be good for the bear.”
When bears become habituated to humans and begin to associate people or vehicles with food, they lose their natural fear. This can lead to property damage or public safety incidents that force conservation officers to euthanize the animal.
“That’s the last thing that we want to do—euthanize any bear, but especially a Kermode bear—just because people have been careless,” the officer said.
The cultural and ecological significance of the Spirit Bear, a rare subspecies of black bear with a unique white or cream-coloured coat, makes the risk of habituation particularly tragic.
The public is reminded that it is illegal under B.C.’s Wildlife Act to feed or attract dangerous wildlife. Violations carry severe penalties, including fines up to $100,000 and potential jail time.
The instructions from the Conservation Officer Service are clear and direct: “Stay in the vehicle, keep the windows rolled up, take your pictures and move on.”
