Conservation Officer Service

09/05/2026

Bear Attack:

Conservation officers are investigating a bear attack in the backcountry outside Whistler on Friday evening.

At approximately 5 pm, a group of three hikers encountered two bears near Conflict Lake, in the Callaghan Conservancy. A woman was attacked by one of the bears before it disengaged.

The BCCOS Predator Attack Team, alongside and Squamish Search and Rescue members, flew to the site by helicopter.

Officers conducted a safety sweep of the area. One adult male black bear at the attack site was dispatched by conservation officers due to safety concerns.

The victim received first aid on site and was transported via helicopter to hospital, where she received medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.

Conservation officers are returning to the site today to continue their investigation. At this time, COs are unable to confirm whether a black bear or grizzly bear was involved in the attack.

In collaboration with BC Parks, trail access in the area has been closed and signage is posted. People are asked to respect the closure for their own safety and avoid the area.

The BCCOS would like to thank its law enforcement and emergency responder partners for their assistance. An update will be provided once the BCCOS is in a position to do so.

09/04/2026

Bears become more active as fall approaches because they need to find food and store fat in advance of hibernation.

Drought conditions, wildfires and poor berry crops in some areas of the province may have reduced natural food availability. Bears may be travelling further and looking in novel places for sustenance, and this means it is more important than ever to not give bears a reason to linger in communities.

Too often, bears become food-conditioned because garbage, pet food, birdseed and other attractants are not properly secured. We all have a role to play to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.

Listen to Sgt. Buchanan for tips on what you can do to help keep people and bears safe:

09/04/2026

Conservation Officers responded to a grizzly bear attack in the Malakwa area, near Sicamous, late Tuesday.

At approx. 8 p.m., the BCCOS received a report that a man was hiking with his off-leash dog along the Queest Mountain Forest Service Road when he encountered a grizzly bear. The bear chased the dog and subsequently contacted the man. The man received medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.

The BCCOS investigation determined the attack was defensive in nature. No efforts to capture or locate the bear will be made.
Warning signage has been placed in the area. Conservation Officers will continue to monitor bear activity in the area and respond as necessary to ensure public safety.

The public is encouraged to familiarize themselves with safety precautions in case of wildlife encounters, including leashing pets and carrying bear spray. Bears are dealing with drought conditions, and are active as they need to find berries and food in advance of hibernation.

For more tips and resources, visit WildSafeBC Report bear conflicts and aggressive bear behaviour to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

09/03/2026

Court Case |

A man received a $6,000 fine and 1-year fishing prohibition after pleading guilty to six charges under the Wildlife Act, including:

◾️Knowingly make a false statement in order to obtain a licence
◾️Obtain licence while fine outstanding (2023-24)
◾️Obtain licence while fine outstanding (2024-25)
◾️Angle without licence or permit required by regulation, to wit: steelhead conservation surcharge
◾️Angle while angling licence cancelled
◾️Fail to produce prescribed photo identification to officer

In February 2025, Kenneth Ryder was angling on the in Maple Ridge when he was checked by a conservation officer.

During the check, the officer recognized him as she had previously ticketed him in 2023 for angling without a licence or permit required by regulation.

The 2023 ticket had gone unpaid and Ryder's angling licence was cancelled. $5,500 of the fine imposed is directed to Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.

09/02/2026

The BCCOS is closely monitoring cougar activity in the area and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety. People are asked to respect closures for their own safety.

Everyone is encouraged to familiarize themselves with safety precautions in case of wildlife encounters, including travelling in groups and carrying bear spray.

For more resources and information, visit WildSafeBC
To report cougar conflicts or aggressive behaviour, call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

🚧Temporary Trail Closures in Mount Work Regional Park 🚧

The CRD, after consultation with the BC Conservation Officer Service, has temporarily closed several trails in a small area of Mount Work Regional Park – Hartland due to cougar activity. Please stay out of the closed sections of trail and keep pets on leash in the park.

Sections of the following trails are temporarily closed:
Inventive
The Plunge
The Plunge Extension
Little Face
Easy Rider

The CRD reminds visitors that we share our natural areas with all types of large carnivores. Always stay alert and use caution and watch for signs of wildlife nearby, such as tracks, claw marks on trees and s**t. Never approach or feed wildlife and keep pets on leash at all times to reduce the risk of encounters with large carnivores.

Additionally, the CRD reminds all park and campground visitors to always properly secure food and garbage, particularly when leaving an area unattended.

Park visitors can report wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk to the BC Conservation Officer Service RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

Learn more about staying safe around wildlife at https://wildsafebc.com/.

09/02/2026

A Lower Mainland man received a $27,000 penalty for feeding and attracting dangerous wildlife in West Vancouver.

Between April 26 and May 8, 2022, Kenneth Amaral intentionally placed food attractants at several locations along Keith Road, near a popular walking trail and home.

The attractants were left in areas accessible to wildlife, and both bears and coyotes were observed feeding at the sites.

During the BCCOS investigation, Amaral admitted to Conservation Officers that he intentionally placed the food to feed dangerous wildlife, despite knowing it was prohibited and after being confronted by a member of the public.

Conservation Officers identified three bait sites that attracted dangerous wildlife over a multi-day period. Under BC's Wildlife Act, each day the attractants remained accessible may constitute a separate offence.

Sentencing Outcome:

▪️Fined $3,000 per day for 6 days for feeding or attempting to feed dangerous wildlife, totalling $18,000

▪️Fined $1,500 per day for 6 days for leaving matter to attract dangerous wildlife, totalling $9,000

▪️Total penalty: $27,000

Of the total penalty, $20,000 was directed to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, while the remaining $7,000 was imposed as a fine and is subject to a victim fine surcharge.

“While feeding wildlife may seem harmless, it can have serious consequences. Bears, coyotes, and other dangerous wildlife that learn to associate people with food are more likely to enter neighborhoods and create conflicts,” said Insp. Simon Gravel. “To help keep communities safe and wildlife wild, never feed wild animals, keep your distance, and properly secure garbage and other attractants.”

Reports can be made to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

Sgt. Chris Doyle:

08/28/2026

Conservation officers on a recent angling patrol by pontoon boat along the Eagle River in the Malakwa area.

Anglers are reminded that there are restrictions along the Eagle River; ensure you check the fishing regulations and

08/28/2026

🔥 Campfire Ban Patrols 🔥

Over the last two weeks, Conservation Officers on campfire ban patrols in several areas of the province discovered numerous illegal fires.

❎ 17 violation tickets were issued = $19,550 in fines

As you head out this weekend to enjoy our beautiful backcountry, don’t be part of the problem.

Protect our communities, forests, and wildlife from preventable fires. Visit BC Wildfire Service for the latest restrictions and prohibitions in your area.

08/28/2026

Update on Nelson Grizzly Bears:

One of the yearling grizzly bears relocated from Nelson on August 14th was dispatched today.

Two collared grizzly bears were relocated more than 50 kilometers away from Nelson to a mountainous area with seasonally productive vegetation. Within days, the bears had turned up in Christina Lake, more than 30 kilometers away.

Conservation officers closely monitored bear activity in the Christina Lake area, in coordination with wildlife biologists with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS).

The male yearling left and returned to Christina Lake and continued to frequent the residential area. RAPP calls reported the bear on the beach, in a boat, in backyards, and on the golf course. It was observed eating garbage in a busy campground resort on Thursday.

The high degree of comfort around people in a residential setting, dependence on non-natural food, and previous relocation made a subsequent relocation, or rehabilitation, not viable.

To ensure public safety, the male yearling was dispatched, in accordance with provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines developed by WLRS.

The female yearling has since moved away from the Christina Lake area and continues to be closely monitored.

Killing any bear is an unfortunate outcome that we work hard to prevent. Too often, bears become food-conditioned because attractants are not properly secured.

With fall approaching, it is more important than ever to secure attractants and help reduce human-wildlife conflicts. We all have a role to play. For information and resources, visit WildSafeBC.com.

08/24/2026

Bear Attack in North Vancouver:

The BCCOS is asking the public to avoid the Richard Juryn trail network in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve in North Vancouver after a man was attacked by a black bear on Monday morning.

At approx. 8 a.m., a lone man was walking along the Richard Juryn Trail when a bear followed him for some time, despite attempts to scare it away.

The bear swiped at the victim’s leg. Conservation officers responded to the area. No bear was seen.

In coordination with Metro Vancouver Parks, the BCCOS asks the public to avoid the trail network until further notice. Signage has been installed in the area.

Officers are continuing their investigation. Bear conflicts can be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. For tips and resources, visit WildSafeBC.com.