B.C. wildlife rescue says province is blocking animal rescues in Prince George region

A northern B.C. wildlife rehabilitation group says provincial officials are preventing it from rescuing orphaned animals in the Omineca region, including the Prince George area. Northern Lights Wildlife Society in Smithers says it has been told to seek approvals directly from a regional section head, and that rescue requests for animals such as fawns, moose calves and bear cubs have repeatedly been denied. The province says there is no blanket ban and that each case is reviewed individually. The rescue organization says the situation leaves injured or orphaned wildlife without care and could increase the chances that young animals become habituated to people if the public tries to help on its own. The group has hired a lawyer and filed an appeal with the Environmental Appeal Court.