Wildlife Safety in the Backcountry

Sonja Seher, Regional Coordinator of Wildsafe BC gave a presentation on ways to be safe from bears, cougars and ungulates.

• Keep pets on a short leash, walking beside you.
  • Dogs off-leash may crush the eggs or young of ground-nesting birds.  They may chase wildlife causing them to expend valuable energy needed to survive.  Dogs off-leash also sometimes catch and injure animals.
  • On a leash, pets are better protected from park wildlife including porcupines, beaver, skunks and coyotes.
• Keep food and garbage away from wildlife.
  • Do not feed wildlife.  The park's ecosystem provides all the food wildlife requires for their basic needs.  Human food can harm or kill animals.
  • Glass, metal and plastic litter left on the ground can injure or kill wildlife if eaten.
• Stay on marked designated pathways.
• Keep children in view at all times.
• Quietly observe wildlife.  Do not chase or harass wildlife. It is extremely stressful to the animals.
• Leave the area immediately if you come across any type of animal kill.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Ensure that natural sounds, like flowing water, do not mask the sound of your approach.