I’ve often been at odds with others regarding our species' approach to the natural world. Recently, I've been reminded once again of how short-sighted and selfish people can be when it comes to wildlife.
Two baby Grizzly Bears had their lives cut short when a local took matters into their own hands. The weeks leading up to this moment were filled with endless posts from locals on the community forum ranting about how they fear for their lives and that the bears need to be "destroyed." A healthy amount of fear is essential when you live in the mountains; this is true, but what is more important is keeping a level head and understanding the behaviours of the wildlife around you, especially when you choose to exist in small towns on the edge of the grid.
Having the bears around my property and witnessing multiple encounters between them and the wonderful people at Coast to Cascades, I can assure you that they were not dangerous to anyone. They were easily spooked, yearling orphans, missing out on vital social learning they should have had with their mother, who was allegedly killed by someone else. Grizzly bears are not here to kill humans. They were responding to a world full of enticing smells and unsecured attractants left around by us.
A larger conversation needs to start happening. We continue to develop further and further into nature, destroying wild areas and the territories of these creatures along the way. We disrupt pathways that they usually would use to travel between places, and then people act shocked when these creatures end up in our backyards. Pemberton continues to grow rapidly, expanding residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational spaces, so interactions between humans and grizzly bears will become more frequent. Grizzlies have inhabited this region historically, and our encroachment into their habitats heightens the potential for conflicts.
This isn't just about one tragic incident or a single community's response; it's a reflection of how everyday human behaviour—including expansion, pollution, and our collective mindset—continually erodes the environments that sustain countless other species. The earth never solely belonged to us; it is a shared home rich with life that we depend on. Yet, this essential truth doesn't exist in our collective conciousness.
Many people will passionately decry colonization and its impacts, but the real problem is human supremacy—a culture that prioritizes human life and convenience above all else. This mindset has conditioned us to believe that our lives and desires hold more value than any other form of life. This attitude, this self-centered narrative, has driven us down an unsustainable path.
Our big and small decisions impact the balance of ecosystems crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting life as we know it. When we develop housing, build new roads, or engage in industrial activities, we chip away at the delicate fabric that supports both wildlife and our existence. Pollution poisons waterways that sustain fish, forests that host countless creatures are cleared for urban sprawl and agriculture, and habitats essential for the survival of species are pushed to the brink. Livestock make up 62% of the world's mammal biomass; humans account for 34%; and wild mammals are just 4%. An important figure to think about when your community justifies the slaughter of two cubs because a chicken was eaten...
Recognizing this imbalance isn't about pointing fingers at individuals; it's about acknowledging that our collective choices, driven by an ingrained belief in our supremacy, have widespread consequences. If we are to move forward, we must challenge this outdated way of thinking and start seeing ourselves as part of a broader web of life, equally vital and equally dependent on maintaining harmony with the natural world.
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