End of the season

Once again, WildSafeBC had an active year assisting the community with several wildlife conflicts throughout the Sunshine Coast. The program adapted its delivery to follow COVID-19 safety protocols and included door-to-door information delivery, garbage tagging, information booths at farmers’ markets, and delivery of the WildSafe Rangers elementary school program. This year, almost 400 K-7 students from Langdale to Halfmoon Bay learned about wildlife behaviour, habitat needs, attractant management, and wildlife safety. Presentations were held outdoors at schools and local parks where students identified and discovered wildlife signs such as food sources and bear claw marks on trees.
Sunshine Coast WildSafeBC is grateful for the generous support of the BC Conservation Foundation, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and the SCRD. The success of the program would not be possible without the ongoing support of the Conservation Officer Service, bylaw enforcement at the District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, SCRD, and our amazing volunteers.
Garbage and fruit trees remain the top animal attractants reported. Black bears are especially at risk of accessing unsecured garbage. Ensuring waste is kept indoors until the morning of collection is one of the best ways individuals can help ensure that bears stay wild and find natural food sources. When wildlife access human-sourced food such as garbage and fruit, they learn to associate humans with food, which is dangerous for both humans and wildlife.
During the winter months, wildlife conflicts can still be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277, and urgent wildlife questions can be directed to bc@wildsafebc.com.
Erin Heeney,
WildSafeBC Community
Coordinator, SC