B.C. implementing guidelines to protect black bears and grizzlies [Video]

The B.C. government is rolling out a new partnership aimed at better protecting black bears and grizzlies.

“This is a tremendous and unique opportunity to advance the well-being and stewardship of all bears in British Columbia,” Nicholas Scapillati, executive director of the Grizzly Bear Foundation, said in a statement.

“This work will take an essential step towards addressing calls from First Nations, conservation organizations and the public to address the number of bear deaths in their communities and develop support for human-bear coexistence.”

The first step is the creation of an expert panel to help identify new ways to minimize conflicts between bears and people.

The new guidelines will be developed in co-operation with the government, First Nations and the Grizzly Bear Foundation and are …