The BC Wildlife Federation categorically rejects the unsubstantiated claim by Barrie Gilbert that fully 1/2 of British Columbia needs to be set aside to protect Grizzly Bears. Gilbert's claims are made in a study bought and paid for by the Raincoast Conservation Society. Its questionable conclusions run contrary to unbiased science and common sense.

In 2003 the government of British Columbia established an independent panel of world-leading scientists to review BC's management of Grizzly Bears. The panel made several recommendations for improvements but they clearly approved of the job the Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection was doing. "This was a very credible group of scientists with no agendas" commented BC Wildlife Federation President Bob Boswell, "and they thought the ministry was doing a fine job". One recommendation was for six grizzly management areas. "This does not come close to being one half of the province" said Boswell, "It makes you wonder what new information the Gilbert study's claims are based on and what its real agenda is".

Recent scientific estimates place the BC Grizzly population at 17,500, a number that ensures the genetic diversity and geographic distribution required for the healthy survival of the species. "The bears are doing just great the way it is" stated Boswell. "Over 12 percent of the province has already been set aside, much of BC is still remote pristine wilderness and our bear population is obviously stable to increasing", he added.

"One issue we can agree on is the Province can always use more Conservation Officers" Boswell continued, "any amount of poaching is too much and we do not support this illegal activity. It really is stealing the resource from the resident of BC".

The BCWF is the largest and longest standing, province-wide, voluntary and locally funded conservation organization in British Columbia and is the voice of conservation-committed hunters and anglers. The BCWF consists of 30,000 members and 125 clubs in all areas of the province.

-- 30 --