The Hungry Hill “Phantom” Grizzly Bear
Smithers Airport, Smithers, BC.
This bear was captured by local conservation officers in the Fall of 2001. It is believed that this bear was responsible for killing upwards of 30 head of cattle in the Hungry Hill area, which is between Smithers and Houston. The killing of cattle, which occurred in calving areas as well as grazing areas, took place over a three-year period.
Some of the cows killed weighed as much as 1500 lbs. (682 kg). Conservation officers responded to the kills and set snares and traps, but the bear managed to avoid capture for more than three years. He was able to trigger snares and grab the cow carcass without being caught on more than one occasion.
In October 2001, after a rash of new kills, officers were finally successful in capturing the bear in a cable leghold snare. The snare, consisting of a spring-loaded cable anchored to a tree, captured the bear by the leg.
As the two officers, Kevin Nixon and Brad Lacey, approached the area cautiously, the bear managed to break the snare cable and charge the officers. The bear was 24 metres from the officers when the snare broke and made it to within 7 metres of them before being shot.
Although everyone involved knew there was a large bear responsible for the predation of the cattle, the size of the bear certainly surprised everyone. This male Grizzly Bear weighed 1012 lbs. (460 kg) and appeared healthy.
It is suspected that he was able to break the snare cable due to the fact that he had weakened it with his teeth.
I have also heard this bear might be the offspring of the Grizzly Bear that is on display at Houston Travel Info Centre.
The Hungry Hill “Phantom” Grizzly Bear
Smithers Airport, Smithers, BC.
This bear was captured by local conservation officers in the Fall of 2001. It is believed that this bear was responsible for killing upwards of 30 head of cattle in the Hungry Hill area, which is between Smithers and Houston. The killing of cattle, which occurred in calving areas as well as grazing areas, took place over a three-year period.
Some of the cows killed weighed as much as 1500 lbs. (682 kg). Conservation officers responded to the kills and set snares and traps, but the bear managed to avoid capture for more than three years. He was able to trigger snares and grab the cow carcass without being caught on more than one occasion.
In October 2001, after a rash of new kills, officers were finally successful in capturing the bear in a cable leghold snare. The snare, consisting of a spring-loaded cable anchored to a tree, captured the bear by the leg.
As the two officers, Kevin Nixon and Brad Lacey, approached the area cautiously, the bear managed to break the snare cable and charge the officers. The bear was 24 metres from the officers when the snare broke and made it to within 7 metres of them before being shot.
Although everyone involved knew there was a large bear responsible for the predation of the cattle, the size of the bear certainly surprised everyone. This male Grizzly Bear weighed 1012 lbs. (460 kg) and appeared healthy.
It is suspected that he was able to break the snare cable due to the fact that he had weakened it with his teeth.
I have also heard this bear might be the offspring of the Grizzly Bear that is on display at Houston Travel Info Centre.