With local grizzly bear populations on the rise and elk causing increasing damage to farmland, community leaders, scientists, and conservationists recently gathered to discuss coexisting with large wildlife in the Creston Valley.
The meeting, hosted by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), brought together local leaders, agricultural producers, conservation officers, Ktunaxa people, as well as representatives from organizations such as Wildsight, the Creston Valley Trails Society, and Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.
Dr. Michael Proctor, an independent Canadian bear research ecologist, presented data from radio-collared grizzlies, showing strong connectivity between bear populations in the region — a positive sign for species recovery.
“When I moved here in 1990, I don't think there were any, or very few, grizzly bears living in the valley. They were just so low in numbers,” said Mayor Arnold DeBoon, who is a former conservation officer. “Now there's about 15 or more grizzly bears that live in the valley, or near the edge, basically full-time.”
The notable increase is also attributed to the cessation of grizzly hunting decades ago and an abundance of food sources, such as corn silage from local dairy farms.
The valley's growing grizzly population now resembles historic ecosystem levels — a conservation success story that now demands a new approach to human-wildlife coexistence.
“They do coexist with people. They hide in the bush and they're not aggressive, unless you have an unexpected close encounter,” said DeBoon, noting at least two incidents over the last decade. “It hasn't happened a lot, but there is that worry.”
Elk, another large species currently thriving, has led to renewed frustration in the agricultural community. In previous years, the government used limited entry hunting seasons to keep their numbers down and discourage grazing on farmers’ hay. But those provincial initiatives have lapsed, and the elk population has since rebounded.
“There's a desire to have a more community-based solution on this, because the onus is always on the conservation officers,” said DeBoon.
The meeting also touched on whether newcomers to the region should be educated on the realities of living alongside wildlife, with brochures or other educational materials distributed by local realtors.
“This valley is a bit unique because of the abundance of wildlife,” said DeBoon. “For some, it's annoyance, consternation, and safety concerns – and for others, it's just the awesomeness of encountering bears and watching elk and things like that. I think most people are probably thrilled with the surprise of nature here, but it would be good to let them know before they buy.”
To address these concerns, the BC Conservation Foundation, in partnership with Y2Y, is in the process of hiring a new wildlife coexistence co-ordinator.
Starting in early June, the successful candidate will work part-time through November in the Creston Valley, leading efforts to support safe and sustainable coexistence with local wildlife — particularly grizzly bears.
Key responsibilities will include organizing public education events, responding to bear conflicts by advising residents on safety, working with landowners to manage attractants, installing and maintaining electric fencing to reduce encounters, and helping to build relationships and secure funding for wildlife coexistence initiatives.
This work will be carried out in collaboration with the Creston Valley Coexistence Committee, provincial government biologists, and the Conservation Officer Service. Key partners in the initiative also include Grizzly Bear Solutions, Y2Y, and the Trans-Boundary Grizzly Bear Project.
