Alberta Fish and Wildlife recently donated a unique mount displaying two bears, a grizzly and a black bear
, to Lethbridge College. Jim Mitchell (Renewable Resource Management ‘80), superintendent of Fish and Wildlife, Enforcement Field Services, Prairie Area - Lethbridge and Lethbridge College alumnus, explains how the bear mount found its way to the college and shares stories about his exciting career.
Wider Horizons: You lead a life that many young people envy. Can you explain what you do and how you came to this profession?
Mitchell: My dad was an avid hunter and fisherman who had a healthy respect for fishery and wildlife laws. This respect carried over to me, and when the time came in school to decide on a career, this was the obvious choice. I enrolled in the Environmental Sciences - Law Enforcement option at the college in the winter of 1978.
WH: If you were to pick one great story of your career, what would it be?
Mitchell: One of the toughest involved a fatality a couple years back in Sundre where a hunter was mauled and killed by a grizzly bear. The investigation of the scene, subsequent capture attempts, DNA testing and dealing with the politics of the situation was very demanding and lasted several months. The greatest part of the story was the strength of the family and how they dealt with this tragic event. On the lighter side, I have direct experience of getting the skunk smell off me after trying to get a skunk that was caught in a gopher trap out from under a trailer... I was young in my career and have gained some wisdom since this incident.
WH: What is the best part of your job?
Mitchell: The people. Ninety-eight per cent of the resource users we deal with are law-abiding sportsmen who have the same love of the resources as I do. I also enjoy working with my fellow officers as they have the same desire to protect the resources as I have.
WH: Can you tell us about the history of the grizzly and black bear mount and how Alberta Fish and Wildlife obtained it?
Mitchell: From what I understand, this grizzly bear was legally shot. But the bear mount came into our possession as a result of an illegal trafficking investigation, which makes the entire mount illegal.
WH: What is trafficking and why is trafficking this mount an illegal act?
Mitchell: Trafficking means to sell, buy, barter or trade or offer to do so. Trafficking in wildlife in Alberta is generally illegal, although certain animals are exempt from this law or certain pieces of wildlife have to be registered with Fish and Wildlife before attempting sale.
WH: How did this particular investigation start?
Mitchell: In August 2009, an undercover officer located an advertisement on Kijiji offering a "Stuffed Grizzly Bear" for sale for $10,000. The officer contacted three individuals representing a Calgary business, Beaver Moving & Storage, and confirmed that they were actively and knowingly attempting to illegally sell the bear mount. They confirmed that the bear mount was from Alaska and that one of their clients had abandoned it at their storage facility. In June 2010, the company pled guilty to one count of trafficking in wildlife and was sentenced to a $10,000 fine. The bear mount was forfeited to the Crown.
WH: So what usually happens to mounts like this one?
Mitchell: A seizure can be disposed of in a number of ways. We distribute seized meat to needy families and fishing rods to organizations that encourage youth fishing. A mount can be kept at local Fish and Wildlife offices for display or given to an educational institution or organization for the betterment of its students. In this case, Lethbridge College was a perfect candidate to receive this very impressive display.
WH: What purpose did you see the mount serving on campus?
Mitchell: Lethbridge College is viewed as an exceptional training institution dealing with Fish and Wildlife education. The college personnel can use the mount as they see fit within the college.
WH: What’s the biggest thing that has helped you with your career?
Mitchell: One of my biggest pieces of advice is to have a mentor who you can go to for advice – someone who will give you solid, unbiased advice and someone you trust. I’ve had three of these people over my career – two fellow officers and my wife, Joyanne. She has always given me very good advice and for that I am deeply appreciative.
