The Polar Bear Spotted In Gaspé Was Killed By Wildlife Protection This Weekend
"The polar bear is the most dangerous carnivore on the planet."
Polar bear on rocks.
Unique animals always seem to be popping up in different spots around Quebec, and this weekend was no exception.
On Saturday, April 30, Quebec police warned the population that a polar bear was spotted roaming around in the Madeleine-Centre region on the northern coast of the Gaspé peninsula.
"A polar bear has been spotted in the Madeleine-Centre region, close to the old airport. Police are currently securing the area. We ask residents to stay home and not go outside. Agents of [Quebec's Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP)] are en route," the Sûreté du Québec tweeted on Saturday.
The following day, on May 1, police provided an update about the bear — and it unfortunately wasn't a happy ending for the animal.
"Polar bear neutralized in the Madeleine-Centre area. The alert for citizens is lifted. Wildlife protection officers from the MFFP have neutralized the animal," the Sûreté du Québec tweeted on Sunday.
Sylvain Marois, a member of the MFFP, confirmed with Narcity Québec that by "neutralized," they mean the animal was shot.
"It was shot by MFFP officers around 8:30 this morning. The polar bear is the most dangerous carnivore on the planet. The animal was not in its habitat, was near residences and such, so we weren't going to take any chances," he explained on Sunday.
According to the organization Polar Bears in Canada, there are nearly 16,000 polar bears in the country, which represents nearly two-thirds of the world's estimated 26,000 animals.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
