Conservation officers have called off their search for a bear that was injured by a crossbow Sunday and now believe the animal is dead.

After searching day and night for the wounded animal in the Highlands area, northwest of Victoria, conservation officer Peter Pauwels told CFAX 1070 on Tuesday morning that he is certain the animal did not survive.

Pauwels spent Monday evening tracking the animal and following a trail of blood through the heavily wooded area.

“Based on…