Indications of Wildlife Act violation as bear is found dead in Vermilion Provincial Park

Image credit: Mitchel Yonkman.

Many Vermilion residents are wanting answers after it appears a bear was shot in the Vermilion Provincial Park last week. 

A video posted to Facebook by Mitchel J Yonkman, and then shared on a popular local Facebook group, shows a bear dead with what appears to be a wound from either an arrow or bullet.  

The bear was found on Thursday evening at about 5:53pm, on the south side of Vermilion Lake along one of the park trails. 

This was quickly reported to Vermilion Fish & Wildlife. 

“The case remains under investigation,” Anthony Jones, Vermilion Fish & Wildlife, told Lakeland Connect on Monday. 

“We have limited information to share. However, there are indications pointing to a potential violation under the Wildlife Act. Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are actively and diligently conducting an ongoing investigation in the matter.”

Jones said he couldn’t divulge further details on the timeline of the investigation, or any potential charges that could arise if a violation is found.

Over the past week, multiple videos have posted online from residents’ cameras showing bears coming into their yards.