Tex the grizzly bear was a young, curious animal exploring his world – and he was shot and killed before he could be peacefully relocated by Indigenous communities that had stepped up with a plan to save his life.
Tex had wandered onto Texada Island in late May, sparking both concern and compassion. Local First Nations – the shíshálh, Tla’amin, and Homalco – immediately came together with a coordinated offer to relocate him safely to Indigenous territory.
But while they waited for government support, Tex was shot and killed without authorization. This tragedy exposes a failure of government action and accountability. Tex did not have to die.
Sign the petition to demand British Columbia lawmakers launch a transparent investigation and ensure this never happens again!
In 2019, British Columbia committed to align its laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. But Tex’s death shows that words without meaningful collaboration are not enough. Indigenous Nations offered a peaceful, life-saving solution, and they were ignored.
The province must confront this failure head-on. The government has a duty to honor Indigenous leadership and protect wildlife through ethical, collaborative decision-making. Tex’s killing cannot be swept aside as an unfortunate mistake. It must be a turning point.
Sign the petition and urge British Columbia lawmakers to investigate Tex’s death, respect Indigenous sovereignty, and build lasting systems of cooperation before another life is lost.
This article by Nicholas Vincent was first published by One Green Planet on 20 August 2025. Lead Image Credit: David Maki Photography/Shutterstock.
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