A black bear has been euthanized after its den was “unintentionally bulldozed” by Imperial Oil, the province’s energy regulator told CBC News.
The incident occurred on Dec. 6 near the Kearl oilsands project in northern Alberta, according to the company.
Imperial Oil spokesperson Lisa Schmidt said in a statement that a contractor was building a drill pad in a previously cleared area when “equipment accidentally impacted a concealed bear den.”
A black bear in the den was injured and euthanized by Alberta Fish and Wildlife.
The oil giant said it contracts a “third-party, Indigenous-owned company” to do wildlife sweeps to identify wildlife dens, bird nests or other wildlife features.
It said the
