Talk of releasing orphaned grizzly cubs raises concerns

After lifting a ban on releasing orphaned black bears (Ursus americanus) into the wild, Alberta Environment and Parks continues to pursue the question of also lifting a ban against returning orphaned grizzly (Ursus arctos) cubs, CBC Radio reports. TWS member Mark Boyce told the network’s program Edmonton AM that the government shouldn’t give in to public pressure calling for the measure. Released grizzly cubs rarely survive, said Boyce, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta and the Alberta Conservation Association chair in fisheries and wildlife.

“If you release a young bear, it’s just not going to live that long, because many of the landscapes are saturated with bears, and a male will kill a cub,” Boyce said.

For more, read the article or listen to the interview here.