Three Black Bear Cubs Orphaned After Mother Shot Near Balmoral, Manitoba

Three 10-week-old black bear cubs—two females and one male—were orphaned after their mother was shot and killed near their den north of Balmoral, Manitoba, earlier this week. m. m. on March 31, according to Manitoba conservation officials. The cubs were discovered calling out for their mother, and they are now in the care of Black Bear Rescue Manitoba.

Judy Stearns, president and owner of Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, stated that the cubs are distressed following the loss of their mother. She noted that the male cub has been vocalizing and struggling to eat. The organization will raise the cubs through its rehabilitation program and release them into the wild in the fall before denning season.

Manitoba conservation officials reported the killing as illegal in a social media post. It is prohibited under provincial regulations to kill a female black bear with cubs, as outlined in the 2025 hunting guide. Officers are investigating and have requested information from the public by calling Selkirk conservation officers at 204-785-5080 or the turn-in-poachers tip line at 1-800-782-0076.

Stearns mentioned that the den's location near Balmoral, about 40 kilometers north of Winnipeg, was posted on social media around March 20. She received calls and messages from people concerned about individuals driving by to photograph the mother bear nursing her cubs. The den was in an exposed area, and the mother bear was nursing at the time of the shooting.

Without intervention, the cubs would face risks from predators or starvation in the wild, according to Stearns. Black bears in Manitoba are described by the province as intelligent and shy, generally avoiding humans. Officials advise against approaching or feeding bears and recommend removing food sources from residential areas and campsites to prevent attractions.

The incident highlights ongoing efforts to protect bear populations during vulnerable periods like cubbing season. Black Bear Rescue Manitoba focuses on rehabilitating orphaned bears for eventual release. CBC News has contacted Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie's office for comment on the matter.