Scientific research and First Nations directives help protect bears, and humans, on the West Coast
Responsible bear watching initiative launches for the Vancouver Island Region
Oct. 7, 2024, Snuneymuxw Territory (Nanaimo, BC) – For many, seeing a bear in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime and life-changing experience, but each encounter has the potential to put the bear and the viewer at risk.
4TVI (Tourism Vancouver Island) has partnered with the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia, Tourism Tofino, and Destination Campbell River to create a responsible bear viewing and bear awareness campaign for visitors and residents.
For British Columbia’s wildlife tour operators, preserving the wellbeing of bears and other wildlife is the top priority. The quality of a wildlife viewing experience isn’t measured by how close you get, but by observing these animals as if humans were never there—allowing the natural world to unfold without interference.
“Unlike marine mammal viewing, there are no legislated regulations for wildlife viewing in British Columbia,” said Kathy MacRae, Executive Director, Commercial Bear Viewing Association. “The Commercial Bear Viewing Association offers a set of best practices to follow that apply to commercially guided experiences but can also work when you see a bear on your own while travelling throughout the region.”
Responsible bear viewing relies on strict standards informed by both scientific research and First Nations directives. These guidelines ensure that wildlife remains undisturbed, their natural behaviours unchanged, and their ecosystems protected. It means prioritizing ethical practices, minimizing human impact, and supporting conservation efforts.
“It’s important for everyone to understand that bears are moving through the world, but our interactions with them are often by chance,” said Brian Cant, President, 4TVI. “To witness a bear in the wild is a very special experience, but that experience needs to be done responsibly and safely. Whether you’re on the west coast of Vancouver Island or heading toward Bute or Toba Inlets, bear viewing is best done with an operator and a certified guide.”
“First Nations on Vancouver Island have had a very special relationship with all wildlife, and particularly bears, for millennia,” said Brad Parsell, Executive Director, Tourism Tofino. “That relationship is based on respect and giving these animals the space they need. Everything is connected in these ecosystems and we need to ensure that bear populations thrive into the future by being educated when we encounter one.”
“We are extremely fortunate in Campbell River to share this region with an abundance of wildlife, especially bears, that many people come from all over the world to see,” said Trevor Dalton, Business Development Officer – Tourism, Destination Campbell River. “But keeping the wildlife wild, safe, and protected is more important than any visitor statistic we track. We applaud the work being done by the Commercial Bear Viewing Association, our local CBVA member tour operators, and their Indigenous partners toward this goal.”
To support the initiative, 4TVI has created a short video, “For the Bears,” and will be amplifying it with partners throughout the fall and into 2025. The video is tied to robust guidelines provided by the CBVABC that are available for residents and visitors through vancouverisland.travel/forthebears/.
About 4TVI:
Part of the 4VI Social Enterprise Group, 4TVI is a non-profit corporation that supports the needs of First Nations, residents, and tourism businesses through government-funded work in the Vancouver Island Region. Learn more at forvi.ca.
About the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia:
The Commercial Bear Viewing Association was formed in 2001 to promote sustainable bear viewing and aid in the protection of wild bears and their ecosystems. Learn more at bearviewing.ca
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Media contact:
Brian Cant, 4TVI: 250-888-8729 or brian@4VIGroup.com.