The head of a bear rescue center in Manitoba has revealed that three 10-week-old black bear cubs have been continuously calling for their mother following her fatal shooting near their den north of Balmoral. Judy Stearns, the president of Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, described the cubs – two females and one male – as highly distressed and traumatized under her care. She mentioned that the male cub has been particularly vocal in expressing distress and struggling to eat.
Authorities from Manitoba’s conservation department reported that the mother bear was unlawfully shot between 7:30 p.m. on March 30 and 1 p.m. on March 31. An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Stearns expressed her belief that the mother bear could have been spared if the den’s location had not been disclosed on social media weeks prior to the shooting. She highlighted concerns over public posts revealing the bear’s whereabouts, leading to potential disturbances and risks to the bear and her cubs.
The rescue organization owner conveyed her disappointment and anger at the situation, emphasizing the vulnerable state of the mother bear as she nursed her cubs in an open area. She criticized the act as heartless and highlighted the risks the cubs now face without their mother’s protection.
Stearns emphasized the importance of dispelling misinformation about black bears, noting that they are typically shy and intelligent animals. She stressed the need for people to avoid approaching or feeding black bears and to secure food sources to prevent attracting them.
The orphaned cubs are set to undergo rehabilitation at Black Bear Rescue Manitoba and will be prepared for release into the wild before denning season in the fall. CBC News has sought comments from Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie’s office regarding the incident.