The British Columbia Liberal government is not acting in the best interests of the rare Spirit Bear being imprisoned at a zoo in Kamloops. The Premier and Environment Minister have not responded to offers by ecology organizations to provide a rehabilitation study to ensure a safe hibernation and release in 2013.

This bear, named “Clover”, had no human conflicts from July to October. The brief feeding of this bear and others did not stop the bears from coming and going in mid October. They were not dependant on humans. There were fish nearby and it was unfortunate circumstances that led to this issue. Clover appears to have been singled out for capture. This was the first human contact for Clover and there should not have been only “the shoot or zoo” limited options.

Lifeforce, a Vancouver based ecology/animal rights organization, had advised the Premier that we could work together to conduct a study that would leave options open for Clover’s release. Bears are innately wild and would revert back to their natural wild instincts. The bear would be released in an isolated area of the Great Bear Rain Forest.



The Kamloops zoo manager said that this is like “winning a lottery”. However, the bear would lose his freedom. Sounds as if money is the real reason why the bear is being imprisoned. Spirit Bears must not become a new zoo fad. A new bear jail could exceed $500,000 in addition to any grants for experiments under the guise of conservation.



Monies are better spent on true conservation programs that include preserving natural ecosystems. Most people want to see Super Natural BC not Super Unnatural BC Zoos.



This bear should not be faced with a life time zoo sentence when it was the fault of stupid humans who were trying to feed “Clover” and other bears. Clover is not guilty of any human harassment. He is innocent and should be given a chance at freedom.