Premier and Minister should protect Officer Casavant - a hero who chose compassion over killing and saved two bear cubs

TORONTO, July 14, 2015 /CNW/ - When two orphaned bear cubs needed a hero, BC conservation officer Bryce Casavant saved their lives.  His superiors had ordered him to kill the young bears.  He disobeyed and is suspended from his job.

"We need compassionate officers like CO Casavant," said Liz White, Director, Animal Alliance of Canada.

The officer had the two cubs assessed by a veterinarian and then transferred them to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association.  They were assessed as good candidates for release.

"Environment Minister Mary Polak, and Premier Christy Clark should have acted immediately to protect the cubs and reinstate Officer Casavant," said White.

"This incident has mobilized public opinion in support of protecting the cubs and reinstating CO Casavant.  COs ought not to be in constant fear of losing their livelihoods when they help animals," White continued.

"Clearly the government needs to implement a non-lethal conflict programme to prevent the killing of mother bears with cubs and allow COs to protect wild animals instead of destroying them."

SOURCE Animal Alliance of Canada

Liz White, Director, Animal Alliance, [email protected] or 416-462-9541 ext: 23