Orphaned black bear cubs from across Manitoba, including southeastern regions in past years, have found care at Black Bear Rescue Manitoba. Now, the future of that work is uncertain following a controversial quarry approval north of Winnipeg.
The rescue, operated by Judy and Roger Stearns, is the province’s only facility dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned black bear cubs before releasing them back into the wild. While cubs from southeastern Manitoba have been brought there in previous seasons, the operation serves animals from across the province wherever the need arises.
That work is now under threat after the Rural Municipality of Rockwood voted to approve a proposed limestone quarry near the facility, despite widespread public opposition.
For Judy Stearns, the decision is deeply concerning, both for the rescue and the animals currently in their care.
“We were there, and there were no seats left,” Stearns says. “People spoke for hours in opposition. There were over 500 letters from residents, not even counting support from the Town of Stonewall and the South Interlake Planning District, and still, it was approved.”
Council ultimately voted four to two in favour of the project.
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Concerns raised despite strong opposition
Stearns says the outcome has left many supporters questioning how the decision was reached.
“We don’t understand how councillors could disregard that level of opposition. There were only two letters of support presented. Nobody spoke in favour at the hearing,” she notes.
She adds there was no opportunity for further discussion after the public hearing, leaving many feeling shut out of the final decision.
Support for the rescue has come from across Manitoba and internationally, but Stearns emphasizes the local impact remains significant for communities that rely on the facility when cubs are orphaned.
Balmoral triplets highlight ongoing need
The timing of the decision has made it even more emotional for the rescue.
In recent days, three 10-week-old cubs from near Balmoral were brought in after their mother was illegally shot at their winter den site. According to Stearns, the situation unfolded after the bear’s location was shared publicly online.
“Roger and I are angered and sad for several reasons; that their den site location was made public online and shared widely, that there is so much fear-mongering and misinformation about black bears shared online, that some unethical coward decided to kill a nursing female bear with tiny cubs, that this bear undeservedly lost her life and her cubs were orphaned, and that Roger and I are now dealing with the resulting 3 traumatized, distressed cubs, one of whom is pictured screaming for her mother.”
The cubs arrived frightened and highly stressed, requiring round-the-clock care.
Stearns says one of the cubs, a male, has been particularly affected.
“The little male cub from Balmoral has taken the loss of his mother the hardest, is the most scared of the 3 cubs, hiding, and less interested in eating.”
She describes how the cub cried until he became exhausted.
“In time he’ll recover, but why did he and his sisters have to go through this? What did they and their mother do wrong? What repercussions are there for people who cause this? All things we need to question in our society.”
The case has been reported, and anyone with information is being asked to contact Manitoba’s anonymous TIP line.
Quarry seen as threat to rehabilitation work
As Manitoba’s only bear rehabilitation facility, Stearns says there is no alternative for cubs like these if the rescue cannot continue operating in its current location.
“If we close, those cubs will simply be left to suffer.”
She says the realities of operating beside a quarry would make rehabilitation nearly impossible, citing blasting, heavy machinery, and constant industrial noise.
“I’ve seen the bears run for their dens when there’s blasting three miles away. Now imagine that happening half a mile from here. It just can’t work,” she stresses.
Stearns also notes the rescue was originally approved for its quiet, rural setting.
“They told us this was the perfect place because it was so peaceful. Now they’re approving a quarry right beside us. It doesn’t make sense.”
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Next steps still being considered
With the decision now finalized, Stearns says the rescue is reviewing its options, including possible legal action.
“We’re going to be evaluating everything over the next few days. We can’t just let this happen. This rescue is too important. Some people have told us they will contact the Premier or the Minister of Natural Resources. But we haven’t formulated an official call to action or a plan yet. This is all still very fresh,” she says.
For now, she is encouraging Manitobans to stay informed through the rescue’s social media channels as next steps are determined.
“We take cubs from across the province, so this affects all Manitobans. People rely on us when there’s an orphaned bear that needs help.”
While the quarry approval marks a significant setback, Stearns says the effort to protect the rescue, and the cubs it serves, is far from over.
-With files from Maryssa McFadden.