Viewing bears in the majestic Great Bear Rain Forest in western Canada generates more “value to the economy” than shooting them, according to a new study. The study was conducted by the Center for Responsible Travel, a research institute at Stanford University in Washington, D.C. and was funded by the conservation group Tides Canada.
Ecotourism booming
Touring to see black, grizzly and Kermode (white) bears in Great Bear Rain Forest has grown dramatically over the last decade, outpacing guided hunting trips. The study suggests viewing generated 12 times more in visitor spending than bear hunting and over 11 time more in direct revenue for the provincial government of British Columbia.
“Because the bear viewing is so much more economically viable and offers a potential of expanding and providing good jobs in an area that is quite a poor area…the government would be wise to really put its resources and its energies into promoting the bear viewing and probably stopping the hunt,” says Martha Honey, lead researcher.
Aboriginals ban the hunt, claim jurisdiction
Aboriginal people of the Coastal First Nations are seeking greater control over Great Bear Rain Forest and have banned trophy hunting of bears. They say hunting is threatening the growing ecotourism industry involving bear viewing. The provincial government contends it alone has authority to regulate hunting and it continues to issue permits.
Researchers sought to look at the benefits of each form of recreation to see which actually provides the greater benefit. They noted the government’s administration of the hunt “is complex, cumbersome, and costly” adding that they found 53 bear-viewing companies and only four guide outfitter hunting companies, come of which are seeing a decline in business and are seeking to sell.
Government says hunting, viewing can co-exist
Calling the report disappointing, a government spokesperson said it creates an artificial divide between bear viewing and hunting, which are not necessarily mutually exclusive activities.
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