Wildsafebc Alberni Valley

12/02/2024

The WildSafeBC Alberni Valley page is in hibernation until next spring, assuming sponsorship is continued. In the meantime, please contact the head office in Kamloops ([email protected]) if you have questions or concerns.

09/20/2024

We are looking for volunteers to serve on the Alberni Valley Bear stewardship committee. This would involve attending one (virtual or live) meeting lasting about 1.5 hours every three months. Committee members should:
1. Have a keen interest in keeping people and wild animals safe
2. Live locally, preferably in an area frequented by bears, deer or cougars.

We would welcome participation from people of any age group, race and gender including but not limited to first peoples, students, retirees and those who identify as LGBTQTIA+.

09/11/2024

I'm grateful for the opportunity to see some environmentally important local initiatives at the Salmon Festival and Fall Fair. I'd encourage people to check out the Dry Creek Restoration Group (avtransitiontown.org), the "Protect the Burde Street Beaver ponds" petition (www.change.org/p/port-alberni-city-council-protect-the-burde-street-beaver-ponds) and the "Heat Pumps for all" program (350.org/heatpumps)

09/06/2024

At the fair last night I met someone who mentioned how difficult it was to keep cougars away from livestock on a 15 acre farm. I don't have good answers for that, although the web suggested a couple of things. My apologies if they have already been tried:
1. Clear bushes away from the main livestock grazing areas. Cougar are ambush predators and will commonly hide behind them.
2. Like many predators, cougars will avoid things they are unsure of. There is a company called Nite guard (niteguard.com) that produces a solar powered flashing light that they claim discourages cougars. I'm not sure the truth of this, but it may be worth trying.

09/03/2024

I'm hoping to build a map of wildlife sightings for the Alberni area. Please email me the location of any animals you see. This is a work in progress ... let me know if you find it useful.

So far, yellow markers are for cougar, black for bear, grey for wolves and brown for deer.

Wildlife sightings (View)

08/23/2024

Props for the good work done by the North Island Wildlife recovery centre!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=906633238176919&set=a.483221233851457&type=3

This adorable young red squirrel was brought to the Centre last week after it was found orphaned in the Port Alberni area. Already quite developed when he arrived, we were able to wean him off of formula and onto almost exclusively solid foods within a few days of his arrival.

It won’t be long until this little one is able to be released back into the wild!

08/23/2024

For the first time we know of, grizzly bear cubs have been seen on Vancouver Island. For the full story, see the August 21 edition of the Vancouver Sun.

08/23/2024

Grizzly Bear cubs have been seen on Vancouver Island for the first time we know of.

"I feel very privileged — not everybody has the opportunity to see grizzly bears in nature," said Babault.

08/22/2024

Encountering a cougar
Relatively few people will ever catch a glimpse of a cougar much less confront one. If you come face to face with a cougar, your actions can either help or hinder a quick retreat by the animal.
Here are some things to remember:
Stop, pick up small children immediately, and don’t run. Running and rapid movements may trigger an attack. Remember, at close range, a cougar’s instinct is to chase.
Face the cougar. Talk to it firmly while slowly backing away. Always leave the animal an escape route.
Try to appear larger than the cougar. Get above it (e.g., step up onto a rock or stump). If wearing a jacket, hold it open to further increase your apparent size. If you are in a group, stand shoulder-to-shoulder to appear intimidating.
Do not take your eyes off the cougar or turn your back. Do not crouch down or try to hide.
Never approach the cougar, especially if it is near a kill or with kittens, and never offer it food.
If the cougar does not flee, be more assertive. If it shows signs of aggression (crouches with ears back, teeth bared, hissing, tail twitching, and hind feet pumping in preparation to jump), shout, wave your arms and throw anything you have available (water bottle, book, backpack). The idea is to convince the cougar that you are not prey, but a potential danger.
If the cougar attacks, fight back. Be aggressive and try to stay on your feet. Cougars have been driven away by people who have fought back using anything within reach, including sticks, rocks, shovels, backpacks, and clothing—even bare hands. If you are aggressive enough, a cougar will flee, realizing it has made a mistake. Pepper spray in the cougar’s face is also effective in the unlikely event of a close encounter with a cougar.

08/22/2024

The very endangered Vancouver Island marmot