Bear necessities


Re
<https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-how-a-bc-co
nservation-officers-refusal-to-kill-two-bear-cubs-sparked-a/> A Conservation
Officer’s Refusal To Kill (Oct. 23):

I applaud former conservation officer
Bryce Casavant for taking a principled stand in not killing two bear cubs.
Doing the right thing should not have had such devastating consequences for
him.

Human activity is by far the leading cause of habitat loss that forces
wildlife into closer quarters with us. Species that survive are then too
often characterized as nuisances or dangers. Thousands of animals are killed
each year as a result. These actions are irreversible and have implications
for the natural world for decades, even centuries, to come.

Mr. Casavant’s story is an example of the need to re-evaluate this paradigm.
His experience should move us to find restrained and non-lethal solutions to
the human and wildlife conflicts we create.

Kelly Duffin Toronto

_____

In one Canadian province alone, “conservation officers” are killing an
average of almost two animals a day. It’s clear to me that “conservation” is
an incorrect description of their job.

Michael Enns Ottawa

_____

It strikes me that the B.C. Conservation Service acts as though
“conservation” applies to humans and their habitats, rather than to wildlife
and its habitats.

If its role is the former, this organization should be renamed “Animal
Control.”

But if conservation really pertains to wildlife, then the policies,
procedures, staffing and training – and potentially governing legislation –
of the Conservation Service should be adjusted where required.

Hélène MacLean Ottawa