iN NUMBERS: Calls to BC Conservation about black bears are on the rise

Black bears are adorable, you just want to go up and give them a hug. Don’t do that and instead call them in if it’s in a densely populated area. Black bear sightings are up so far this year and we’re just getting into their most active time of year.

Here are the numbers:

• 155: Calls about black bears were made to BC Conservation in March, down from 191 in 2025.
• 82: Calls about black bears were made to BC Conservation in February, up from 61 in 2025.
• 2,270: Calls about black bears were made to BC Conservation in May 2025, the busiest month for bears last year.
• 2: Black bears were killed in Kelowna in 2025 for public safety.
• 3: Black bears were killed in Kamloops in 2025 for public safety, and one was euthanized.
• 1: Black bear was killed in Vernon in 2025 for public safety.
• 1: Black bear was killed in Osoyoos in 2025 for public safety.
• 13,672: Calls were made to BC Conservation about black bears in 2025.
• 27,356: Calls were made to BC Conservation about black bears in 2023, the most in the last 15 years.
• 178: Black bears were killed by BC Conservation province-wide in 2025 for public safety.
• 38: Black bear cubs were taken to rehab organizations in B.C. in 2025.
• 15: Black bears were hazed, or scared away from human populations, in B.C. in 2025.