B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) reports two black bears were euthanized after repeated disturbances at the Shambhala Music Festival in Salmo, B.C. Having observed that the bears demonstrated highly food-conditioned behaviour and displayed little fear of humans, BCCOS deemed the bears too dangerous for further relocation or rehabilitation.

The Shambhala Music Festival, which took place from July 24 to July 29 and marked its 25th anniversary this year, is an annual electronic music event. According to CBC News, prior to the festival, there were multiple sightings of bears entering festival tents. Despite setting up a trap nearby, no bears were captured initially.

Additional reports included incidents where RCMP officers had to scare the bears away from the festival campground. Eventually, conservation officers were called to the festival site after reports of a bear foraging for food among the tents. Festival founder Jimmy Bundschuh confirmed that no guests or staff were injured.

“[We] spent multiple weeks with the Conservation Officer to manage and attempt to relocate the bears. Unfortunately, after multiple relocation attempts, the Conservation Officer evaluated the situation and regrettably had to euthanize the two problem bears,” Bundschuh said in conversation with CBC News.