The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, demanding a stop to annual spring bear hunts on commercial timberland.

The lawsuit follows a two-year KING 5 investigation into the Bear Depredation Management Program, a state run program that permits timber farmers to contract with hunters to kill bears that peel trees.

Bears are often hungry after hibernation, and when they wake up near large tree farms, the syrup under the bark offers a quick and sugary snack. When bears peel trees, however, they can damage or even kill them. Foresters blame…