“Mother Bear Shot Near Den, Cubs Traumatized”

The head of a bear sanctuary in Manitoba reported that three 10-week-old black bear cubs have been vocalizing for their mother for several days following her fatal shooting near their den north of Balmoral earlier this week. Judy Stearns, the president and proprietor of Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, described the young cubs — two females and one male — currently under her care as distressed and traumatized. She mentioned that the male cub has been particularly vocal, showing signs of distress and struggling to eat.

According to Manitoba conservation officials, the mother bear was unlawfully shot between 7:30 p.m. on March 30 and 1 p.m. on March 31. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The public is urged to contact Selkirk conservation officers at 204-785-5080 or the turn-in-poachers tip line at 1-800-782-0076 with any information regarding the bear shooting. Killing a female black bear with cubs is against the law in the province, as outlined in the 2025 provincial hunting guide.

Stearns speculated that the mother bear might have remained safe if the location of the den near Balmoral had not been shared online a couple of weeks before. She expressed frustration and concern over individuals driving by to observe and photograph the mother bear and her cubs, potentially causing disturbance.

Stearns expressed disappointment and anger over the situation, foreseeing the potential harm that could befall the mother bear. She expressed sadness upon learning of the shooting incident earlier in the week, emphasizing the vulnerability of the mother bear while nurturing her cubs in an exposed area.

• Experts caution against approaching bears closely to avoid habituation to humans

Stearns criticized the act of shooting a nursing mother bear with 10-week-old cubs, highlighting the potential dangers the cubs now face in the wild without their mother’s protection. She emphasized the importance of dispelling misconceptions about black bears, noting that humans often fear them more than necessary.

The province advises that black bears are intelligent and shy animals that prefer to steer clear of human contact. It is crucial for people to refrain from approaching or feeding black bears and to eliminate food sources from residential areas and campsites to prevent attracting these animals.

Stearns revealed that the cubs will undergo the Black Bear Rescue Manitoba’s rehabilitation program before being reintroduced into the wild in the fall prior to denning season.

CBC News has sought a comment from the office of Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie.