A Manitoba bear rescue organization’s owner expressed concern over three 10-week old black bear cubs that have been distressed since their mother was shot and killed near their den north of Balmoral recently. Judy Stearns, president of Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, revealed that the young cubs, two females and a male, are now under her care but are visibly upset and missing their mother. The male cub, in particular, has been vocalizing distress and struggling to eat.
Manitoba conservation officials reported that the mother bear was unlawfully shot between March 30 and March 31. An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Selkirk conservation officers or the turn-in-poachers tip line. Killing a female black bear with cubs is prohibited in the province as stated in the provincial hunting guide.
Stearns highlighted that the den’s location being shared on social media likely led to the mother bear’s demise. She received numerous alerts about people visiting the den to take photos, causing potential disturbance to the bears. Expressing disappointment and anger, Stearns emphasized the vulnerability of the nursing mother and the cubs’ reliance on her for survival.
The cubs will undergo rehabilitation at Black Bear Rescue Manitoba and will be reintroduced into the wild before denning season. Concerns over misinformation about black bears were raised, emphasizing the importance of respecting their space and not attracting them with food sources. Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie’s office has been contacted for further comments.
