Destination BC JF Bergeron
If you encounter wildlife on the trails respond appropriately but most importantly, never run.
Words by Vanessa Isnardy
Outdoor recreation has boomed in popularity in the last number of years, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic, resulting in measurable impacts on ecosystems such as trail erosion, the spread of invasive species, displaced wildlife, as well as abandoned garbage and waste.
Interactions with wildlife are also increasing and have resulted in negative experiences with RVers, not to mention the lethal removal of the wild animal. The good news is that you can adopt some best practices to enjoy the outdoors more safely and reduce environmental impacts on the places you love to visit.
Become Informed
When trip planning, consider what wildlife you may encounter and the sensitivity of the ecosystem you want to explore. Will you encounter animals that can potentially pose a threat to your safety (or your pet’s safety)?
This could include bears, cougars, wolves, skunks and venomous snakes. None of these species should dissuade you from enjoying time in the outdoors but you should take proper precautions to reduce risks. When visiting areas of British Columbia, a good resource to check out before your trip is www.wildsafebc.com to learn about the species you are likely to encounter, including safety information and ways to avoid conflict.
NPS Hannah Schwalbe
Large or small, it’s just wrong to feed wildlife.
Never Feed Wildlife
Large or small, it’s just wrong to feed wildlife either intentionally or by leaving food unsecured. While giving food to animals may provide a moment of gratification, it can lead to future conflicts and tragic consequences for the animal.
Small species may become a nuisance and spread disease. They can also attract larger predators such as wolves and bears, allowing these predators to access unsecured food sources that can lead to ‘food conditioning,’ which is when they associate you and your activities with sources of food. This can result in dangerous encounters and is one of the leading causes of the lethal removal of wildlife by authorities.
Practice “Bare Camping” Etiquette
The “Bare Campsite Program'' was developed and successfully implemented by Parks Canada to effectively increase campground safety and prevent the disposal of bears and other wildlife. The WildSafeBC Program provides information to actively support other park operators and adopt these best practices. The concept is simple. When you’re away from your campsite or when you’re sleeping, all wildlife attractants should be stored in a hard-sided vehicle, designated food locker, or suspended in an area away from your RV.
Anything with an odour can be an attractant including:
- Food and items used in meal preparation
- Coolers that are empty or full
- Garbage, wrappings, pet food and dishes
- Recyclables, citronella, and toiletries
- Greywater. It should be disposed of at least 164 ft (50 m) from your sleeping area or at a designated site in the campground.
NPS
The best way to avoid a negative encounter with wildlife while hiking is to be aware of your surroundings.
Be Prepared to Encounter Wildlife
When hiking on designated, marked trails, assume you will encounter an animal rather than hope you won’t have a dangerous or surprising interaction. The best way to avoid a negative encounter with wildlife is to be aware of your surroundings, stay alert, and create noise to alert animals of your presence. Bear bells are not effective.
Additionally, watch for signs of wildlife such as scat, tracks and fresh claw marks on trees. If you see scavengers, notice a foul smell, or find a dead animal, leave the area immediately.
Avoid hiking or biking in the early morning or evening when animals are more actively hunting and if you like to explore the trails solo take every precaution. Some activities such as running and mountain biking may increase your likelihood of a surprise encounter as you are travelling at a higher speed and are relatively quiet. So, ensure to make noise, especially when your sightlines are poor.
Remember, rushing water and travelling into the wind masks your sound and scent. If you do encounter a bear, cougar, wolf or even a testy moose, be prepared to respond appropriately. But most importantly, do not run.
Free training is available online at https://wildsafebc.thinkific.com/courses/wildsafebc-Bear-Safety-When-Recreating.
NPS Neal Herbert
Bear spray is known to be more than 90 percent effective in preventing injury during an intense encounter.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner
It’s more common for dogs than people to get injured during interaction with wildlife. Canines have a strong instinct to chase many types of species, which can cause them injury or even be killed. Dogs that chase bears can also be the cause of people being injured if they lead an angry bear back to them. Deer, moose and other ungulates are even able to inflict serious damage with their hooves when protecting their offspring or during mating season.
Coyotes and wolves will consider dogs as a potential rival, threat or prey. Small dogs should have short leashes and always be kept close. Don’t let your dog chase deer, squirrels, birds or spawning salmon and make a habit of picking up their waste.
Carry Bear Spray
Bear spray is the best tool to have at your disposal during an encounter with a bear. Always carry it in a designated storage holster (and not in your backpack) so you can quickly access and deploy it in two seconds or less.
According to a study in the Journal of Wildlife Management, bear spray is known to be more than 90 percent effective at preventing injury during a bear encounter (black or grizzly). Learn how to use and transport it safely by visiting https://wildsafebc.com/learn/bear-spray.
NPS Photo Kent Miller
Always be cautious while driving. There are more than 11,000 collisions involving wildlife in BC alonevery year.
Slow Down to Avoid Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions
Statistics reveal that fatal encounters with wildlife are rare unless you include collisions on highways in Canada and the U.S. In BC alone, there are more than 11,000 collisions with wildlife every year and an average of 870 people are injured. (www.wildlifecollisions.ca).
To reduce your risk, drive defensively and have your passenger(s) keep watch for wildlife. If you see wildlife warning signs, it means the area has had a number of reported collisions so be vigilant and always adhere to posted speed limits.
Wildlife Photography
While photography may seem like a harmless activity, it can cause stress to animals and human injury if you’re too close, especially when they are protecting their offspring. Always remember that nature comes first. Don’t call out to wildlife so you can draw them in closer or try to capture their attention.
If an animal leaves your immediate area, allow it to do so, and don’t pursue it. Additionally, never approach bears, cougars or wolves and maintain a respectful distance of at least 30 m (about 100 ft) of large animals such as elk, sheep and deer.
Vincent Maret
Practice caution around wildlife, especially when they are protecting their offspring.
When you spot animals in their natural habitat while travelling, slow down but don’t stop, particularly if sightlines are poor or speeds are more than 60 km/h (37 mph).
Pulling over to a full stop may frighten wildlife and cause it to cross the roadway and possibly get struck by another oncoming vehicle. If it’s safe to pull over, stay in your vehicle and avoid lingering too long.
By adopting these best practices, you can help ensure enjoyment in the outdoors over the long run and maintain healthy and resilient ecosystems to enjoy season after season.
For more information visit www.wildsafebc.com
About the author: Vanessa Isnardy is the Program Manager for WildSafeBC, the leader in reducing human-wildlife interaction in British Columbia through education, collaboration and community solutions. She has studied wildlife biology and ecology, is an avid outdoor enthusiast, has travelled throughout North America and experienced many black bear encounters as well as the occasional grizzly and wolf.