North Vancouver, B.C. – A black bear was shot and killed by B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) members in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove area on Wednesday afternoon after the animal bit a woman.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when the woman was gardening outside her home and was bitten by the bear. According to a statement from BCCOS, “Thankfully, the woman was not seriously injured.”
Conservation officers and North Vancouver RCMP responded to the scene. The bear, identified as a large male black bear with no tags, was euthanized by conservation officers to ensure public safety. The BCCOS expressed gratitude to their law enforcement and emergency responder partners for their assistance.
This incident occurred a day after the non-profit advocacy group Fur-Bearers released a report listing the Top 10 deadliest communities for black bears, based on BCCOS statistics. None of the North Shore municipalities, including North Vancouver, were on the list. Prince George led the province with 76 bears killed in 2023, followed by Kamloops, which has Bear Smart status, with 31 bears killed.