The Fur-Bearers, a B.C.-based wildlife charity says it continues to be concerned about the number of black bears killed by conservation officers in the province. Last year 603 black bears were put down, according to data obtained by the Fur-Bearers through a Freedom of Information request. That’s 68 more than the annual average of 535 since 2015, when the Fur-Bearers began tracking the numbers. Executive director, Lesley Fox, said part of the sudden jump may be attributable to 2023’s record-breaking wildfire season, which would have displaced wildlife and possibly reduced their natural food sources, sending them to urban areas to look for alternatives. There, attractants are a constant issue … increasing the likelihood of some kind of conflict or the bear become too habituated. If the BC Conservation Officer Service then determines the bear poses some kind of threat to public safety, it may decide to put it down.