Conservation officers are asking for help to find poachers who shot dead a sow black bear with two cubs.
The officers received reports of the shooting and are trying to find the very young cubs, which will not survive on their own.
The bear was shot near where the railway bridges cross Michel Creek on Corbin Road, just south of Highway 3 near Sparwood on Wednesday, June 20, between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
“Shooting a sow with cubs is a violation under the wildlife act,” said Conservation officer Trish Burley.
“Most people are aware that it is both technically and ethically wrong. I am sure other people must have passed the men who shot her, as there would have been miners going on and off shift.”
The two men seen at the site are described as both in their mid 20s to early 30s, in a newer blue Dodge truck, which was parked by Corbin Road.
It is black bear hunting season until June 30, but hunters need a licence and a tag, and are not allowed to shoot sows with cubs.
The two cubs are believed to have been born just this year, and are not likely to survive long without their mother.
“Conservation officers received some information and responded, then found evidence at the scene,” said Burley.
“Ideally we want the suspects to come forward themselves as soon as possible. A lot of people are really outraged by this. We hope either the suspects or witnesses will come forward soon.”
If anyone has any information they should call the anonymous Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1 877 952 7277.