Four bears euthanized after being captured in southwest Calgary community

A bear sow and her three cubs that have been seen in the community of Discovery Ridge for several weeks have been euthanized, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services confirmed in a statement.

Last week, officers with the organization closed some areas to the public and set two traps in Griffith Woods Park in an attempt to trap the bears.

By Oct. 28, the bear sow and her three cubs were captured, and all closures including signs and closure tape had been removed from the area.

"After evaluating the situation and in accordance with the black bear response guide, the bears were euthanized," said a spokesperson with Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

"The Government of Alberta does not take this action lightly, but feels it is the best decision, to both prevent future conflict and public safety concerns."

The organization said it hadbeen receiving calls about the bears almost daily since early October, as they were reportedin different locations around the southwest community.

Initially, reports from the public were just sightings, but these progressed into reports of the bears getting into unnatural food sources such as garbage.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement said the bears were heavily food-conditioned, and had been spotted getting into garbage for over four weeks, which poses a serious risk to public safety.

They added that "several factors" led to the decision to euthanize thebears rather than taking other options, such as relocating them.