A Sunshine Coast conservation officer – with help from the RCMP – came to the rescue of a black bear cub that had been heard “wailing” in a tree in Sechelt.
On April 28, Insp. Murray Smith of the Conservation Officer Service received a tip on the RAPP (Report a Poacher or Polluter) line that two people walking their dogs had heard a wailing sound from a forested area near a Sechelt subdivision.
“Upon approach, the parties were unsure, but thought they saw a ‘cat-sized’ bear cub stuck in a tree five feet above ground. As it was getting dark, and [with] the potential of a momma bear around, the dog walkers called the CO Service,” Smith said.
Sharing those after-dark safety concerns, Smith waited until the next day to respond. The next morning, led by the dog walkers to the source of the wailing sound, Smith discovered a five-pound bear cub “flopping around, attached to a tree somehow.”
Due to the high potential of conflict with a mother bear, Smith called for RCMP backup. Cpl. Brendan Dolan joined him at the scene.
As they approached, the two officers saw an adult bear move from the cub’s location and climb to a large tree nearby.
While Dolan made noise to keep the adult bear treed, Smith determined that the cub’s rear foot was wedged between two branches. He tranquilized the cub, removed the foot from the tree and conducted a physical assessment of the animal.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries to the cub’s joints,” Smith said.
The officers quickly left the location to allow the mother and cub to reunite. When Smith returned the next day, both bears were gone.
The public is encouraged to contact the RAPP line (1-877-952-7277) to report wildlife-related issues and environmental violations.
