"A total of 603 black bears were destroyed by members of the provincial Conservation Officer Service last year, up 22 per cent from 2022's total of 493," These are troubled bears in neighborhoods that have to be destroyed for the safety of the public that live there.
Not exactly the massacre you describe. Bears are not bred to be massacred for their hides in Canada. They are licences given to hunters to legally hunt them, yes, as is the case for many animals over here like dear, elk, beaver etc. Bears that are euthanized are done so humanely. No one wants to see a dead bear but it happens. Bears been massacred for their pelts to be used for the Kings guards? NO.