North

Yukon officials seek killer of black bear left at side of road

Yukon Conservation Officers are looking for help in tracking down the person who shot a black bear and abandoned its carcass at the side of a road south of Whitehorse.

Conservation Officers say there is no evidence bear was killed in self-defence

The carcass of a mature, male black bear was found abandoned near the CCC Road, which is along the South Klondike Highway near Kookatsoon Lake on Sunday. (Yukon Conservation Services)

Yukon Conservation Officers are looking for help in tracking down the person who shot a black bear and abandoned its carcass at the side of a road south of Whitehorse.

On Sunday, sometime between 1 and 3 p.m., witnesses heard a gunshot and the sound of an ATV. The carcass of a mature, male black bear was found near the CCC Road, which is along the South Klondike Highway near Kookatsoon Lake.

Conservation officers say the brown-phased black bear was seemingly killed with one bullet.

Roadside hunting of bears is legal in Yukon, however it is illegal to abandon the carcass. Hunters must have a permit and register the kill with Environment Yukon.  

Conservation officers say there is no indication that the bear was killed in self-defence. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Yukon's TIPP Line at 1-800-661-0525 or the Conservation Officer Services Branch at 667-8005.