Conservation officers were informed last Sunday of two dead black bears found at kilometre 30 of the Robert Campbell Highway, north of Watson Lake.

The two bears' carcasses were found badly decomposed, lying on top of one another in the ditch to the side of the highway.

"We believe one of the bears may have been killed by a motor vehicle, while the other was shot, perhaps as it was feeding on the other bear,” Kris Gustafson, the manager of information and compliances for the Watson Lake conservation authority, said Thursday.

The bears were adult males, one brown and the other black. They were likely killed several days before the bodies were found, due to the advanced state of decomposition.

Unfortunately, bear poaching is not an uncommon occurrence in the region, said Gustafson. There have been a number of reported cases this year in the Watson Lake area.

What is uncommon, however, is the method with which the bears were killed.

"Normally when people do something like this, they would want to do something with the body,” said Gustafson.

"In this case, the poacher left the bear's beautiful black pelt and fatty meat behind and just left it there by the roadside. It's sad, and such a waste.”

Conservation officers are seeking the public's help in identifying who may have been responsible for the killings.

A cash reward will be offered to anyone who can provide useful information.

Under the Wildlife Act, poachers can face up to $50,000 in fines and up to a year in prison if convicted.

By MAX LEIGHTON

Star Reporter