New Bear Awareness Campaign Launches

4TVI (Tourism Vancouver Island) has partnered with the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia, Destination Campbell River, and Tourism Tofino to create a responsible bear viewing and bear awareness campaign for visitors and residents.

The group says for BC’s wildlife tour operators, preserving the wellbeing of bears and other wildlife is the top priority.

They say the quality of a wildlife viewing experience isn’t measured by how close you get, but by observing the animals as if humans were never there, allowing the natural world to unfold without interference.

“Unlike marine mammal viewing, there are no legislated regulations for wildlife viewing in British Columbia,” said Kathy MacRae, Executive Director, Commercial Bear Viewing Association.

“The Commercial Bear Viewing Association offers a set of best practices to follow that apply to commercially guided experiences but can also work when you see a bear on your own while travelling throughout the region.”

Responsible bear viewing relies on strict standards informed by both scientific research and First Nations directives, the group explains.

The guidelines ensure that wildlife remains undisturbed, their natural behaviours unchanged, and their ecosystems protected.

“We are extremely fortunate in Campbell River to share this region with an abundance of wildlife, especially bears, that many people come from all over the world to see,” said Trevor Dalton, Business Development Officer – Tourism, Destination Campbell River.

“But keeping the wildlife wild, safe, and protected is more important than any visitor statistic we track. We applaud the work being done by the Commercial Bear Viewing Association, our local CBVA member tour operators, and their Indigenous partners toward this goal.”

To support the initiative, 4TVI has created a short video, “For the Bears,” which you can find at Vancouver Island Travel.