Good Samaritan Fined For Rescuing Bear Cub!

Manitoba Conservation Needs to Right Their Wrong!

As a longtime Animal Advocate, I follow many Rescue Organizations on Facebook. One of those I have followed from it's start is Black Bear Rescue Manitoba. It was on this page I learned of this situation the other night.

In a post about a new Cub arrival, the Rescuer, Brennan Normand, posted about the chain of events, also noting that he had recieved a $500 Fine for his good deed.

I am outraged that someone whose only intention was to Help an Animal in Need, an infant who was in a potentially life threatening situation, would be punished for their efforts.

As I understand the situation, Mr Normand was unaware of how the situation would unfold, and of protocol. He spotted the tiny Black Bear Cub alone, and monitored it to see if it's Mother was around. As daylight faded, he feared the Cub would be vulnerable to Predators, and other dangers. He brought the Cub to the safety of his home that night and called the Rescue in the morning. He was told to call Conservation as they had to be the ones to bring the Cub to Rescue.

Conservation's responce time was over seven hours. If he had known about protocol and called Conservation from start, that little orphaned Cub would have faded into the night and possibly lost its life, waiting for Conservation to get there.

This man is a Hero and should not be punished for saving a life. In fact, by his account, the Officers who picked up the Cub, were beyond grateful for his efforts. Yet, Manitoba Conservation Officials and Administratives obviously didn't feel the same way, and issued him the $500 Fine.

This Petition will be sent to Manitoba Conservation, in hopes they understand that there are circumstances where guidelines can be flexible, and this should have been one of them. I, and all who sign this Petition are Calling Manitoba Conservation to Action and asking them to recind the Fine against Brennan Normand.

In my opinion this is not only shameful, but it also sends a bad message to other good samaritans who might be deterred from helping Animals in Need, because of consequences they may not know about.

Mr Normand has started a GoFundMe Page to help him pay for this Fine. If the Fine is recinded, all monies donated will go to Black Bear Rescue Manitoba to help support the Cub he saved and all the orphans that will come through their facility this season. ... Donate here if you can. ... https://gofund.me/245e8c02

Thank you

You may also email Manitoba Conservation at ... mgi@gov.mb.ca