Northern Lights Wildlife Society Reports Rescue Approval Denied for Orphaned Black Bear Cubs in B.C.’s Omineca Region

SMITHERS, British Columbia, Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northern Lights Wildlife Society (NLWS) is raising concerns about changes to the wildlife rescue approval process in British Columbia’s Omineca Region after the organization says it was unable to receive permission to intervene in cases involving orphaned black bear cubs.

NLWS says the immediate concern involves two young black bear cubs believed to be orphaned and still potentially suitable for rehabilitation. The organization says delays in obtaining approval can reduce the time available to safely intervene before hunger, declining condition or exposure to human attractants changes an animal’s behaviour and limits the opportunity for eventual return to the wild.

Northern Lights Wildlife Society has worked with black bears from the Omineca Region for decades. Since 1999, 197 black bears have been returned to the Omineca Region following rescue and rehabilitation by NLWS.

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The organization says the concern is not about rescuing every young animal seen alone. Wildlife should remain in the wild whenever possible. NLWS is asking for a practical process that allows qualified wildlife professionals to respond when an animal has been determined to be genuinely orphaned, compromised and an appropriate candidate for rehabilitation.

“We are not asking to remove healthy wildlife from the wild unnecessarily. We are asking for the ability to respond when an animal is genuinely orphaned and still has a chance. With young wildlife, time matters. Every delay can make rehabilitation and a successful return to the wild more difficult,” said Angelika Langen, co-founder and executive director of Northern Lights Wildlife Society.

NLWS says wildlife emergencies do not occur only during regular business hours, and that delays can be especially significant when young animals are already without their mothers and have limited reserves.

The organization has published an official statement outlining its concerns, the changes it says it has encountered in the Omineca Region, and the circumstances surrounding the current black bear cub cases.

NLWS is encouraging media organizations and interested members of the public to review the complete statement and supporting materials before drawing conclusions about the issue.

Official story and background: https://www.wildlifeshelter.com/omineca-black-bear-cubs-nlws-canada

Official NLWS statement: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z7-ePCIy3p5XIsOMA5pjVRwIdnrUOVKB/view?usp=sharing

Media resources, photographs, logos and supporting material: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fZ3Q0xVF8A2kwcwMFELhfOJJ4u4VtQLn?usp=sharing

Northern Lights Wildlife Society was founded by Angelika and Peter Langen in 1990 and operates a wildlife rehabilitation and rewilding facility near Smithers, British Columbia. The organization provides care for injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning suitable animals to the wild. NLWS specializes in black bear, grizzly bear and moose rehabilitation and rewilding and also participates in public education and wildlife research.