British Columbia

Dead bear found dumped in downtown Kamloops alleyway

The body of a black bear found dumped in an alleyway in downtown Kamloops, B.C., has sparked an investigation by conservation officers.

Hunting is not illegal for those with a licence, but dumping edible parts is, says conservation officer

A passing woman looked closely at what looked like a pile of shower curtains, but turned out to be the carcass of a dead bear wrapped in a tarp. (pongwiffy/Twitter)

The body of a black bear found dumped in an alleyway in downtown Kamloops, B.C., has sparked an investigation by conservation officers.

The intact carcass was found wrapped in a tarp, by a woman passing by on Monday afternoon.

A necropsy revealed the female bear had been shot, but it's unclear whether it was hunted or simply killed, perhaps because it was a backyard nuisance.

B.C. Conservation officer Sgt. Kevin Van Damme says killing black bears in spring near Kamloops is not illegal, as long as you have a valid hunting license.

But he notes dumping the edible parts of any animal is illegal and carries a maximum fine of up to $50,000 and a term in prison of up to six months in prison.

With files from Rafferty Baker