B.C. to review conservation officer training after bear deaths [Video]

In a move aimed at reducing the number of bears killed in British Columbia, the province is creating an expert panel to review how conservation officers carry out their work.

The government also announced the creation of a partnership with the Grizzly Bear Foundation, which will help guide this closer examination of policies and training.

“This is a tremendous opportunity and a unique opportunity to advance the well-being and the stewardship of bears in British Columbia,” Nicholas Scapillati with the foundation told CTV News in an interview. “This work is like an essential step in addressing the calls that First Nations, conservation organizations and the public have made around the number of deaths.”

The practice of killing bears has been contentious for years, particularly in cases where some First Nations and conservation groups have argued relocating the animals would be possible.

“This idea of working on training and policy review …