B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service are following up on reports of a black bear being dumped beside a road in Pitt Meadows and is asking people to get in touch if they have more information about the kill.
“It’s too early to say whether or not it’s a case of poaching or carcass dump,” said Sgt. Todd Hunter with the CSO.
The bear was found at roadside at the end of Thompson Road on the weekend.
“We can’t conclude anything until we get all the facts.”
He couldn’t confirm how many paws were removed from the bear but noted that it’s legal to remove and use bear parts providing the entire carcass is taken to the hunter’s residence before the parts are removed and provided the parts are used only for personal purposes.
“People do make bear-paw soup of their kill,” he said.
The regulations against transportating separate parts are intended to reduce trafficking and poaching in animal parts.
“You need to get it home and then you can use the meat and parts but you can’t possess it away from the carcass.”
Dumps of carcasses, bear and dear, happen often in Pitt Meadows because of its accessibility, he pointed out. Hunter said most parts of B.C. have issues where carcasses are being dumped so people can avoid paying fees at the dump.