Conservation officers’ decision to kill three grizzly bears last Sunday near Haines Junction was made during a high-stress situation, a Yukon government official said Wednesday afternoon.

Dean McLean, a conservation officer and human wildlife conflict specialist with Yukon Conservation Officer Services, spoke to The Yukon Star. 

He provided insights into the bear incident that occurred outside the Pine Lake Campground along the Trans Canada Trail. A female jogger was attacked after her dog got loose near the bears.

The victim, whose identity has been kept confidential by Environment Yukon, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital. While they are not believed to be life-threatening, her exact recovery time is unknown.

Three bears were shot after the attack, but the type of firearm has not been disclosed. A fourth bear left the scene, and the campground remains closed as conservation officers monitor it for activity.

“The bears were euthanized with firearms as a part of the investigation into the attack on the individual. It’s a firearm capable of euthanizing a bear,” said McLean. 

He explained that the decision to destroy the three bears was made in a high-stress environment, with public safety being the primary concern.

Though the incident did not occur in the campground, it was evacuated for safety reasons. He said the officers took action to secure and ensure public safety, with the use of firearms being a primary concern.

The bears will undergo a full necropsy as part of the investigation. DNA samples and other samples will be sent to a lab to clarify the bears’ participation in the incident. 

“​​We are looking for evidence to answer many questions that will come out through the process of this investigation,” he said.  The carcasses will be retained for the purposes of the investigation, he added. 

McLean was not clear on whether the cubs had been killed during the investigation, as the exact relationship of the bears involved in the incident is unknown. It’s hoped that the examination of the euthanized bears and the lab results will shed some light on this.

McLean said that the department is continually working to improve people’s understanding of bears, bear safety activities, and their behaviour. They are also involved in promoting bear safety talks in communities and events.