For immediate release
Victoria, B.C. (May 12, 2025) – After a decade of provincial claims that British Columbia’s (B.C.) wolf cull is humane and necessary for caribou recovery, newly released documents tell a different story. In an intensive, year-long investigation, Pacific Wild reviewed more than 1,600 pages of internal government records—obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests—revealing systemic cruelty, unethical tactics, and potential violations of B.C.’s Wildlife Act.
Wolves are being shot multiple times with semi-automatic firearms originally designed for combat, not hunting. According to the records, these weapons are modified to carry 30-round magazines—six times the legal limit—and are built for rapid fire, not precision. This chaotic method, carried out from helicopters and intended to maximize the chances of hitting a target, increases the risk of non-fatal shots and prolonged suffering.
FOI documents reveal that in one particular case, 17 wolves were killed by contractors in less than a month. Of those, 10 required multiple bullets, and only one was killed by a single shot to the head. While the Wildlife Act does not specify how many shots may be used, it does prohibit causing undue suffering to animals—a threshold these actions may well exceed.
The use of bait piles is also raising legal and ethical concerns. FOI records show that government contractors have been coordinating with ranchers to monitor “dead piles” of livestock carcasses—sites that attract wolves and allow for easier targeting. These tactics exploit wolves’ natural scavenging instincts and may violate Section 33.1 of the Wildlife Act, which prohibits leaving attractants that draw in dangerous wildlife.
Wolf images transmitted directly to smartphones—enabling immediate targeting—are of further concern. Contractor comments within FOI documents suggest that game cameras with wireless capabilities are being used to monitor wolf activity as it happens. These modern surveillance tools, typically intended for wildlife research, are being repurposed as tracking devices.
This type of tech-assisted hunting is explicitly banned for the public under B.C.’s Hunting and Trapping Regulations, yet it appears to be used by government contractors—highlighting a double standard in how wildlife laws are applied.
Equally troubling are the government’s caribou mortality investigations included in the FOI packages. Of the 21 necropsy reports reviewed, wolves were confirmed or suspected in only three cases—just 13 percent. Despite this, the cull continues under the justification of caribou recovery, while more significant threats like habitat loss from industry remain largely unaddressed.
Efforts to challenge the program legally have also been undermined. Pacific Wild took the government to court in 2020, questioning the lawfulness of the cull, but the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that the program could continue. During the proceedings, the Province amended its regulations and obtained federal exemptions—allowing contractors to continue practices that would otherwise violate provincial and aviation laws.
FOI documents confirm the government issued additional regulatory exemptions to enable these methods—including permissions to shoot wildlife from aircraft, use helicopters for hunting operations, and harass animals using motor vehicles. These sweeping exemptions—listed under “Wolf reduction permits only”—highlight the extraordinary legal permissions granted to carry out the cull, and raise serious questions about oversight and necessity.
“British Columbians are being lied to,” says Ian McAllister, Pacific Wild Co-Founder. “We have spent hundreds of research hours and thousands of dollars to confirm that B.C.’s wolf cull is inhumane and not based on science. There’s a serious lack of transparency here. Government contractors operate under exemptions that would make these tactics illegal for any member of the public.”
“If the public knew the level of cruelty and the inhumane practices that are involved in this cull, it would end tomorrow,” says Natasha Wehn, Project Director at Pacific Wild. “British Columbians would never support such violence against highly social and intelligent animals, like wolves.”
Pacific Wild is calling for an end to the B.C. wolf cull and a shift toward science-based, habitat-focused caribou recovery efforts. Long-term solutions must prioritize the protection and restoration of critical habitat and recognize the ecological role wolves play as keystone species in healthy ecosystems.
To explore the full investigation—including documents, photos, and visual analysis—read the companion blog: FOI Findings: Unveiling Hidden Truths of the B.C. Wolf Cull
Media Contacts:
Laurie Hamelin
Communications Lead, Pacific Wild
comms@pacificwild.org
604-724-6411 (cell)
Media:
Contact Laurie Hamelin for access to high resolution images & B-roll.
About Pacific Wild
Pacific Wild is a Canadian charity dedicated to wildlife conservation throughout the Pacific Northwest.
