The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is demanding that the Province puts a full-stop end to wolf culls and unethical hunting

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is demanding that the Province “advance(s) a full-stop end to wolf culls and unethical hunting”. In a letter dated November 1st, 2022, the UBCIC calls upon the government to reduce resource development, primarily logging, and prioritize reclamation and rehabilitation of critical caribou habitat over predator reduction programs, while respecting First Nation jurisdiction and territorial management. UBCIC also states the government’s focus on killing apex predators has resulted in an increase of “non-Indigenous gun clubs producing wildlife killing contests and engaging in inhumane and unethical hunting practices”. 

First Nations in British Columbia are rightful stewards of their territories and this includes caribou management. Pacific Wild shares the UBCIC’s commitment to ending the aerial wolf killing program, which if continued this winter would enter its ninth year. 1704 wolves have been killed through the wolf cull program since 2015, costing taxpayers over six million dollars. In 2022 alone, 280 wolves were killed at a cost of $6428 per wolf.  The cull is ineffective, inhumane and disrespects many of the cultural practices and beliefs of B.C.’s Indigenous communities. 

This letter is now the second letter the UBCIC has sent this year to Ministers Katrine Conroy (Forests) and Josie Osborne (Land, Water, Resources and Stewardship)–as of yet, without a response–that refers to the UBCIC Resolution (February 2022) “Support for B.C. First Nations’ Territorial Management and Protection of Caribou and Wolf Populations”.

We are grateful for UBCIC’s leadership and support, especially in this past spring’s highly successful #Howl2Horgan joint campaign (along with Animal Alliance, The Fur-Bearers,  the Takaya Legacy Project, and Humane Society International Canada).

Read the full November 1, 2022 letter, March 17 2022 letter and February 2022 Resolution below and the October 25, 2021 letter at the links provided.