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Grizzly bear and cubs seen on northern Vancouver Island possible sign of recolonization
NANAIMO — A rare sighting of grizzly bears may soon become more common after a mother grizzly and her two cubs were recently spotted on the north Island.
A photographer was able to capture the three bears in July interacting with an elk, in a video which has made the rounds online.
Garth Mowat, a B.C. government biologist who specializes in large carnivores, said although grizzlies have been spotted on the Island in the past, the presence of two young cubs is significant.
“We define a population of animals as present if it’s breeding. There’s been grizzly bears showing up on Vancouver Island for more than a decade. Previous to that, the sightings were very rare, and I didn’t even hear of any when I started my career 40 years ago.”