Officer Booted After Refusing To Kill Bear Cubs

<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPvTZhqcYBM" target="_blank">Facebook/North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre<br></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPvTZhqcYBM" target="_blank">Facebook/North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre<br></a></p>

A conservation officer in Canada who was suspended for refusing to kill two orphaned bear cubs is now set to pay an even higher price after that laudable act of defiance.

Earlier this summer, Bryce Casavant of the Conservation Officer Service, was called to a residence in rural British Columbia after a mother bear, with two cubs in tow, broke inside. While it was ultimately decided that the adult bear needed to be euthanized as a result of the incident, he saw no use in cutting short the lives of her helpless offspring.

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Instead of euthanizing the 8-week-old cubs, the officer defied protocol by capturing them and sending them to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center. For his actions, Casavant had initially been suspended from duty, but was later reinstated.

But now he's being removed from the job entirely, transferred out of the Conservation Officer Service into an unspecified new position, reports CBC.

Facebook/North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre

Officials say that the transfer is not a disciplinary action, but that's not likely to appease those who supported Casavant's actions to save the cub - following his suspension, more than 300,000 people signed a petition on his behalf. Among those ready to defend the officer's job is Stephanie Smith, of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union.

"He has a distinguished record of public service in law enforcement," Smith told CBC. "Bryce Casavant did the right thing when he decided these young bears should be assessed for rehabilitation."

The two creatures who benefited the most from Casavant's actions, cubs Jordan and Athena, would no doubt agree that he made the right decision. They are still being cared for at the rehab center where they are slated for release some time next year - a life made possible thanks to one officer's sympathy.

Facebook/North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre