Black bear killed, cubs captured after repeated conflicts in B.C. provincial park

MAPLE RIDGE — Conservation officers have killed a female black bear and captured two cubs after multiple reports of conflict with humans in Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge, B.C.

British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service says in a post on Facebook that BC Parks had requested help on Thursday.

It says the bear had an “extensive conflict history,” including causing significant damage by breaking into numerous vehicles or tents to access food, and was repeatedly in campgrounds during daytime hours with people nearby.

The cubs were not involved in any conflicts and the service says they were tranquilized.

The post says the service consulted with provincial wildlife biologists and the cubs have been transported to Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley.

Insp. Simon Gravel with the service says “dispatching any bear” is not the outcome anyone wants.

“This bear learned to associate people with food and its behaviour was escalating,” Gravel says in the post. “All options were exhausted and unfortunately, dispatching was the only outcome to keep people safe.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2026.

The Canadian Press