Grizzly bear sighting confirmed on Island

Times Colonist
Published: Wednesday, May 21, 2008

A weekend sighting of a grizzly bear on northern Vancouver Island has wildlife officials concluding the large carnivores have migrated from the mainland and are likely here to stay.

For years, Vancouver Island residents took comfort from the fact that the province’s grizzly population, now numbering 17,000, were exclusive to the mainland.

But conservation officers are suggesting that’s changing.

On Sunday, a man spotted a grizzly bear near Woss, northwest of Campbell River. He got out of his vehicle to take a photograph, and the bear charged. He ran back to his vehicle.

Conservation officers checked the tracks and confirmed the bear was a grizzly, CHEK NEWS reported.

“Whether or not this population will become established … if it’s part of a natural distribution, then it’s going to occur whether we like it or not,” said conservation officer Kim Brunt.

This was the third confirmed sighting of a grizzly bear on the Island since 2003, when a grizzly was shot and killed near Port Hardy.