2025 saw the lowest number of black bears killed in B.C. in a decade

Published 4:30 pm Thursday, January 22, 2026

There were 211 black bears killed in B.C. – the lowest number killed in more than a decade, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says.

The service released the 2025 statistics Thursday (Jan. 22), noting it was a 65-per-cent drop from 2023 and the lowest overall number since the B.C. Conservation Officer Service predator statistics were first published online in 2011.

Last year, 33 bears were euthanized for welfare reasons, such as a bear critically injured by a vehicle, while conservation officers killed – or “dispatched” – another 178. The service says “dispatch” refers to bears killed for public safety reasons, such as a human-wildlife conflict.

By region, the West Coast had 49 bears killed, with 47 dispatched and two euthanized. It was followed by the South Coast region at 35, Skeena at 29, the Kootenays at 25, the Okanagan with 24, Omineca at 18, Peace Liard at 16 and the Thompson Cariboo with 15.

By community, Ucluelet had the most bears killed at 13. All were dispatched.

The service also says that 2025 saw the fewest black bear calls reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters line since 2011. There were 13,672 calls in 2025 compared to 27,896 in 2023.

Garth Mowat, large carnivore specialist with B.C.’s Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Ministry, said abundant natural food resources often result in fewer conflicts between bears and people.

“A phenomenal berry crop for several varieties across the B.C. Interior last year may have contributed to fewer bears coming into communities,” Mowat said.

“While it’s encouraging to see the number of bears dispatched continue downward, we know that many conflicts are preventable,” B.C. Conservation Officer Service chief Cam Schley said in the news release. “Officers continue to work collaboratively with and engage communities, organizations and businesses on public education and outreach to help keep people safe, and wildlife wild.”

Schley added B.C. Conservation Officer Service hopes the shift in reporting outcomes of euthanized compared to dispatched is “more transparent for the public, whose trust is critical to serve our communities.”