Prince George, B.C. – When it comes to the number of bears euthanized, Conservation Officer Rory Smith wishes every year was like this year.

“The number of black bears that were destroyed in the Omineca Region in 2014-15 was 99, 29 of which were destroyed by others,” he says. “70 were destroyed by the Conservation Service.

(The Omineca Region covers half way north between Quesnel and Prince George, north of Mackenzie, right to the BC/Alberta border and all the way east to Fraser Lake. He says others could be property owners protecting livestock or vehicles striking and killing bears).

How does that compare to this year? (2015-16).

“The year is not over yet (fiscal year runs from April 1- March 31) but there have been 17 black bears destroyed, nine by COs, eight by other individuals.”

Why the dramatic drop? “I think a lot of that has to do with the weather and the berry crop.”

He warns there could be more bears put down though before the years is out.

“It’ll probably inch up a little bit because we tend to have more conflict as we move into the fall and natural food supplies become scarce,” says Smith. “The bears tend to forage more into town and into any available food sources and that usually brings them into conflict with people.”

(He says residents can help by securing and eliminating food sources (ie garbage cans and bird feeders) the next couple of months prior to hibernation).

Smith says there was also good news when it comes to Grizzly Bears, noting the number euthanized dropped from two last year to none so far this year.