B.C. Home of the grizzly hunt

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "B.C. Home of the grizzly hunt"

Daniella George
6 years ago
Views:

1 Science, Technology and the Environment The video is not easy to watch. It shows a grizzly bear being shot numerous times. The fatally-wounded animal eventually tumbles down a snowy slope, leaving behind a long smear of blood. In the audio, the hunters can be heard laughing and celebrating. The video recently made the rounds on social media. It sickened most people who saw it. It also fi xed the public s attention on the controversial practice of trophy hunting. Trophy hunting Unlike people who hunt animals such as moose or deer to stock their freezers with meat for the winter, trophy hunters kill for sport. Their goal is to bag a big predator. After posing for a photo with their kill, these hunters will typically take a trophy perhaps the head or paws then discard the rest of the animal. Some hunters pay up to $25,000 to a licensed local guide to help them find and kill their trophy. Definitions B.C. Home of the grizzly hunt B.C. is home to one-quarter of North America s grizzly population about 15,000 bears in all, according to the provincial government. It s also one of the few jurisdictions that allows grizzly hunting. Hunters travel from other places in Canada, the United States, and even overseas to hunt B.C. s grizzlies. They are among the highest-spending tourists that visit the province. The money they bring supports the province s commercial guide outfitters. Managing the hunt Grizzlies may be hunted in about 65 percent of B.C. However, not just anyone can kill a grizzly. Would-be hunters must enter a lottery for a license to participate in the hunt. If their name is drawn, they must then pay $1,030 for a license. Without a license, hunting the bears is illegal. This system, known as limited entry hunting, gives the B.C. government control over how many bears may be killed. According to officials, grizzly bear harvest rates are set About Grizzlies The grizzly bear is the second-largest land mammal in North America. About 1.8 metres long from nose to tail, the animal weighs between 160 and 360 kilograms. Unlike other bears, the grizzly has a large shoulder hump that supports its huge front legs. It has long hairs on its head and shoulders that often have white tips, giving the bear a grizzled appearance. Grizzly bears can run at speeds of up to 55 kilometres per hour. These omnivores have keen senses of smell and hearing but poor eyesight. The number of grizzly bears worldwide has declined by 50 percent since the 1800s. One reason for this huge drop? The bears are highly susceptible to human disturbance. Worldwide, grizzlies are now designated a species of special concern. Alberta shut down grizzly hunting in 2006 due to the bears dwindling population. In the U. S. only Alaska allows hunting for grizzlies. Jurisdiction: a country or area in which a particular legal system operates susceptible: likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing 2015/2016: Issue 3 What in the world? Level 2 Page 17

2 Science, Technology and the Environment conservatively and well below what the population can sustain. Since 2010, an average of about 270 bears have been killed each year by hunters. (Others die from vehicle accidents, animal control kills, poaching and other causes.) That s about two percent of the province s grizzlies. According to Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson, Grizzly bear populations in B.C. are healthy and we have confidence in our science-based management of this population. First Nations ban Not everyone is a fan of the hunt, however. In 2012, ten First Nations on the north central B.C. coast formed an alliance and declared a ban on all bear hunting in their territory. Trophy Hunting in Africa An American dentist from Minnesota sparked outrage when it was revealed that a lion he killed on a July hunting trip in Zimbabwe was a local favourite named Cecil. Despite the public outcry over Cecil, conservation groups say they are not necessarily opposed to well-managed trophy hunting in Africa. Money from trophy hunting provides economic incentives for the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. Namibia, for example, has used income from trophy hunting to protect its populations of black rhinos, mountain zebras, elephants and lions. On the other hand, Kenya, which banned trophy hunting in 1977, has seen a steep decline in its wild game. There s no incentive to protect the animals. In many African countries, it is against the law to waste meat that is suitable for human consumption. Once trophy parts are removed, the animal carcass is often donated to the local community. The World Wildlife Federation s (WWF) position on trophy hunting walks a delicate line. WWF works to address illegal or unsustainable exploitation of wildlife. Within this framework, WWF accepts or supports hunting in a very limited number of contexts where it is culturally appropriate, legal, and effectively regulated, and has demonstrated environmental and community benefits. It s wrong on so many levels, says Kitasoo / Xai xias Chief Doug Neasloss. In my culture, if you re going to shoot something, you use all of it. They say that the hunt is not only unethical it also makes no sense economically. The bears are worth more alive than dead thanks to people who want to view and photograph them in the wild. According to the Wilderness Tourism Association of B.C., ecotourism is worth about $1.5 billion a year to the province, and is growing rapidly, compared to trophy killing of grizzlies that brings in about $116 million a year. Mounting opposition The Raincoast Conservation Foundation is one of many environmental organizations opposed to trophy hunting of large carnivores in B.C. It says the government s estimation of the size of B.C. s grizzly population is too high. It also claims that the number of bears that are killed often exceeds limits set by the government. Meanwhile, a survey conducted this September indicated that while 73 percent of British Columbians support hunting for food, 91 percent are opposed to trophy hunting. A Vancouver Sun newspaper editorial called the practice barbaric, wasteful, morally and economically indefensible. Feeling the pressure In the face of this criticism, how do supporters defend the practice of killing grizzlies for sport? We don t, says Scott Ellis, the executive director of the guide outfitters association. We don t try to morally defend someone s personal decision. There are people who like it, and some who don t. We have a free country and we have choices. Long-time guide Kiff Covert says people become emotional about killing bears, especially when the animals are personified and given names. With grizzly bears they re beautiful and people think they re amazing, but if they were ugly and had no hair and killed people every day, everyone would want us to shoot them, he says. J Definitions carnivore: an animal that eats flesh exploitation: use or utilization, especially for profit incentive: a thing that motivates or encourages one to do something unethical: contrary to conscience or morality or law Page 18 What in the world? Level /2016: Issue 3

3 Science, Technology and the Environment ON THE LINES Answer the following in complete sentences: 1. List at least four important facts about grizzly bears. 2. How many grizzly bears are found in British Columbia? 3. Explain what trophy hunting is. 4. Describe how the B.C. government regulates the grizzly bear hunt. 5. How many grizzly bears in B.C. are killed each year by hunters? 6. Explain why the B.C. government allows the grizzly hunt. 7. Describe how some First Nations reacted to the grizzly hunt. 8. List two reasons why these First Nations are opposed to the grizzly hunt. 9. List two reasons why other environmental organizations are opposed to the hunt. 2015/2016: Issue 3 What in the world? Level 2 Page 19

4 Science, Technology and the Environment BETWEEN THE LINES An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article. What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that a September survey indicated that 73 percent of British Columbians support hunting for food, but 91 percent are opposed to trophy hunting? BEYOND THE LINES 1. The B.C. government does not condone the practice of eating grizzly meat because of concerns that predators such as grizzlies could be carrying a parasite that causes intestinal disease. Learn more about this risk and fi nd out what else, if anything, could be done with a grizzly bear carcass. 2. Lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my. It turns out that there are plenty of animals around the world being hunted for sport. Select one of them and complete a W5 summary. (Who, what, where, when, and why?) JUST TALK ABOUT IT 1. The premier of British Columbia, Christy Clark, recently defended trophy hunting in her province: I think we should remember lots of families depend on [it] as part of their business to create jobs. As long as it s done on a scientific basis, as long as it s done humanely and carefully, it s something we have space to do in the province. a) Do you agree or disagree with her position? Explain your thinking. Back up your opinion with statistics or quotes from the article and/or other sources of information. b) Premier Clark also claimed that just because something is unpopular doesn t mean it is wrong. Can you think of an example where you would consider this statement to be true? 2. While the B.C. government points to a peer-reviewed study that puts the grizzly population at around 15,000, others disagree with this number. When a situation like this arises (as it often does), how are we to learn the truth? As you see it, who is to be trusted and what steps could be taken to increase our level of trust in the numbers? Explain. ONLINE Visit our student website at and click on the What in the World? tab to: 1. Learn more about the Raincoast Conservation Foundation (or visit 2. Learn more about the Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. (or visit 3. Read about the 2013 government study of grizzly bear populations (or visit 4. Watch a two-minute video from The National called Death Threats For U.S. Hunter about Cecil the lion, the American dentist that killed the animal, and the fierce reactions that were unleashed on social media (or visit 5. What a YouTube video called Why Is Trophy Hunting Legal? to hear an explanation of why trophy hunting is still legal in many places (or visit J Page 20 What in the world? Level /2016: Issue 3

5 Editorial Cartoon Background Information WHAT ARE EDITORIAL CARTOONS? Editorial cartoons are found in the editorial or opinion section of a newspaper. They are created by cartoonists as a way of visually commenting on and often criticizing the world around them with humour. Editorial cartoonists express their ideas and opinions about issues (for example, what to do about Canada s economy), events (such as the Olympic Games) or public figures (like the Prime Minister). Because cartoons are drawn from the viewpoint of the cartoonist they do not tell the whole story about the event, issue or individual, but they reveal important messages. Their purpose is to grab people s attention and cause them to re-examine their views on a subject. Editorial cartoons typically send a particular kind of message. The message is conveyed through images and wordplay. Their tone is generally ironic (portraying events in ways that are unexpected or contrary to how they seem), satiric (ridiculing the event, individual or issue), or humorous (inviting readers to laugh at themselves or at others). In order to interpret the message of an editorial cartoon it is helpful to understand the context the time, place and situation. It is also useful to understand some of the common art techniques used by cartoonists to emphasize their points. Considering these things will help you better decode and appreciate the message behind the cartoon. WHAT COMMON ART TECHNIQUES ARE USED BY EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS? Caption (a sentence or phrase that is the title or explanation of the cartoon); Labels (words or numbers in the drawing to identify people, objects or dates); Relative size (some images are drawn much larger or much smaller than others); Light and dark (use of dark shading and white space to create an effect); Composition (the arrangement or location of figures or objects in the centre or background); Symbols (a sign or image to represent something else); Caricature (a distorted, simplified or exaggerated representation of a figure). (To learn more about interpreting political cartoons, read the Toolkit: Decoding Political Cartoons by Charles Hou on the Library and Archives Canada s web site at Prepared with assistance from TC 2, The Critical Thinking Consortium /2016: Issue 3 What in the world? Level 2 Page 21

Editorial Cartoon YOUR TASK: Examine the editorial cartoon by Adrian Raeside. Then, use the questions below to help you decode the cartoon s message.

6 Editorial Cartoon YOUR TASK: Examine the editorial cartoon by Adrian Raeside. Then, use the questions below to help you decode the cartoon s message. Be specific and include as many details as possible in your answers. Initial reading: What can an initial look reveal? 1. Glance quickly at the cartoon. What is your first impression your gut response? 2. Read the text. What does it tell you about the topic of the cartoon? 3. Consider your background knowledge. What do you already know about the context of the cartoon the time, place or situation? (List key facts.) Closer look: What s happening in the cartoon? 4. Describe what you see in the cartoon. Who is featured in the cartoon? What is this person doing or saying? Where is the action taking place? What else do you notice? Draw conclusions: What overall impression can you draw? 5. Identify possible biases. Whose perspective or point of view is expressed in the cartoon? 6. Explain the overall message of the cartoon in a paragraph. (Remember, a good interpretation is specific and detailed.) J Prepared with assistance from TC 2, The Critical Thinking Consortium Page 22 What in the world? Level /2016: Issue 3

7 Complete this map assignment to better understand the article A Controversial Hunt. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Obtain the required resources and read all the instructions before starting. 2. Colour your map after all labelling is completed. 3. Print in pencil only first, then go over the printing in black ink. 4. Work carefully and neatly. Resources Required: pencil, black pen, pencil crayons, ruler, eraser and an atlas. Part A Locate and label the following provinces, territories and U.S. states in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: British Columbia (green) Yukon Territory (orange) Alaska (red) Alberta (yellow) Northwest Territories (purple) Washington (grey) Part B Locate and label the capital cities of the provinces, territories and U.S. states above and underline each city name. Part C Locate and label these U.S. states in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: Idaho (pink) Part D Locate and label the following cities: Vancouver Nanaimo Prince George Fort St. John Prince Rupert Seattle Montana (brown) Kelowna Kamloops Vernon Terrace Calgary Part E Locate and label Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. Part F Locate and label the following water bodies and shade all ocean water dark blue: Pacific Ocean Hecate Strait Strait of Georgia Queen Charlotte Sound Strait of Juan de Fuca Part G Locate and label the following lakes and shade them light blue: Williston Lake Great Slave Lake Part H Draw and label the following rivers and shade them light blue: Fraser River Skeena River Map Map Assignment Columbia River Peace River Part I Complete your map with a frame, title and compass bearing. J British Columbia 2015/2016: Issue 3 What in the world? Level 2 Page 23

8 Kilometres

Stop The Hunt. Coastal First Nations Work Together to Protect Bears.

Stop The Hunt. Coastal First Nations Work Together to Protect Bears. BEARS FOREVER SEPTEMBER 2015 WWW.BEARSFOREVER.C A Contents 2 Protecting Bears, Ecosystems, our Values and our Economies. 4 Bears Forever