Welcome to the
Vancouver Island Bear Rehabilitation Centre

In 1997, NIWRA made the decision to construct and manage a bear program for Vancouver Island Bears. In doing so a captive bred bear came to the center to help us perfect the design and operation of our facility for the care and feeding of these animals, to study their hibernation habits and to control their overall environment and human contact.

The center has spent approximately $170,000 to construct examining rooms, play areas, nursery and a 120’ X 120’ enclosure with a cave, pond, and a catch and receiving chute. Major funding for this project came from the late Arthur Knowles, the Donner Canadian Foundation and an anonymous donor.

"The goal of this study is to enable us to confidently take into care wild black bears, and rehabilitate them back to the wild."Robin Campbell WildlifeManager

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Mary came to us from the Cowichan Valley in June 2008 and at first we thought she was a dwarf bear. In fact she was a yearling who was severely under nourished. Our plan was to fatten her up and release her in the fall. In fact she responded so well to the treatment and care she received from NIWRA and Dr. Malcolm McAdie that was released on July 8, 2008 - three weeks later. We hope to get updates on her as she was tagged..

This bear from Tahsis came to us weighing 15 lbs. and was released in June 2006 weighing 85 lbs.