Overview

• The bear sow was shot and killed between May 24 and 25 near Big Lake, northeast of Williams Lake, and discovered by a motorist on May 26.
• Conservation officers have opened a probe under the Wildlife Act, which outlaws shooting a sow with cubs or any bear under two years old.
• Northern Lights Wildlife Society staff have successfully captured three of the five orphaned cubs for rehabilitation in Smithers.
• The cubs have exhibited stress and confusion without their mother but are now under intensive veterinary and nutritional care.
• Authorities are asking anyone with information on the shooting to call the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-7277.