We share our environment with urban wildlife. It is everyone's responsibility to minimize the potential for conflict with these animals. The following pages provide helpful information and links on dealing with some of the different types of animals that can be found in Courtenay.
If you encounter threatening wildlife:
- Do not run.
- Make yourself look big.
- Be loud and aggressive.
If you encounter wildlife that is aggressive or causing property damage, please call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).
Bears
Have you spotted a black bear in Courtenay? Depending on the time of year, bear sightings can be a fairly common occurrence in parts our city.
Wildsafe BC offers the following advice about sharing the landscape with bears:
“Since we share the same landscape with bears, it stands to reason that there are going to be times when bears will be in our living space (just as we are often in theirs). As long as a bear is moving through our community, is not lingering, and is not interacting with us or our property then there is no conflict. There are many situations when a bear moving through the community is to be expected: e.g. when they are trying to access a natural food source such as a fish bearing stream or trying to get to foraging opportunities on the other side of what was once their normal home range.
When bears quit moving through the community and start using the community as a foraging area for human-provided foods then conflicts develop. Bears that start using human-provided foods (anthropogenic foods in the words of the biologists) can become food-conditioned. Once a bear starts equating humans with foods, they can lose their natural wariness of humans and become what is called human-habituated (often simply referred to as being habituated). An habituated bear tolerates humans in much closer proximity than what is safe for both bears and humans. This increases the potential for a dangerous interaction between the bears and us.”
Improperly handled garbage is the greatest cause of human-bear conflict in British Columbia, but there are other potential causes too. Any unsecured food source can attract bears to your property. Take the following steps to prevent bears from getting too close:
- Wait until garbage day to put your trash out at the curb.
- Don’t allow windfall from fruit trees to accumulate on the ground.
- Pick fruit and berries as soon as possible as they ripen.
- Use bird feeders only in winter, when bears are hibernating. If you do use bird feeders year-round, take them in at night, and fill them more frequently with smaller amounts of bird seed to minimize the bear's potential reward. Keep the ground underneath the feeder clean.
- Feed your pets inside. If you must feed them outside, clean up all food afterwards and store their food securely.
If you encounter a bear:
Safety tips from the Province of BC
- Do not feed bears. It's against the law to feed dangerous wildlife.
- Remain calm. Do not run or climb a tree. Slowly back away, talking to the bear in a quiet, monotone voice. Do not scream, turn your back on the bear, kneel down or make direct eye contact.
- Keep away from the bear. Do not try to get closer to it. If the bear gets too close, use pepper spray (within 7 metres) or something else to threaten or distract it.
- Stay together. If you are with others, act as a group. Keep children close – pick up and carry small children.
- Go indoors. Bring pets indoors if possible.
- Watch the bear until it leaves. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. After the bear is gone and it's safe, make sure there is nothing in the area that will attract bears back again.
Find out more about managing bear conflicts from the Province of BC
Report aggressive or threatening bears to the Conservation Officer Service at 1 877 952-7277 (RAPP).
Cougars
Vancouver Island has the highest concentration of cougars in the world. And while conflicts between cougars and humans are rare, being prepared for a cougar encounter will help minimize the chance of harm to either yourself or these majestic creatures.
What to do if you see a cougar
From the Province of British Columbia:
The following are guidelines in the event that you encounter a cougar. Stay calm and keep the cougar in view, pick up children immediately. Children frighten easily and the noise and movements they make could provoke an attack. Back away slowly, ensuring that the animal has a clear avenue of escape
Make yourself look as large as possible and keep the cougar in front of you at all times. Never run or turn your back on a cougar, sudden movement may provoke an attack
If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively, maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noise. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons
If a cougar attacks, fight back, convince the cougar you are a threat and not prey, use anything you can as a weapon. Focus your attack on the cougar's face and eyes. Use rocks, sticks, bear spray or personal belongings as weapons. You are trying to convince the cougar that you are a threat, and are not prey.
Contact the Conservation Officer Service Call Centre 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) if a cougar poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety.
Find out more about cougar behaviours
Eagles
The Comox Valley is home to a large number of Bald Eagles.
According to the Province of BC, Bald Eagles nest in the largest live trees in a forest canopy, often choosing trees with broken tops, large open crowns, or a major fork which will support their massive nests. They nest close to their feeding areas, usually within a kilometer of shorelines, in order to minimize the energy used in bringing food back to the nest.
Their continued presence in our community depends on all of us.
Our activities can threaten their survival. This includes the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, and human disturbance.
Eagles are legally protected
It is an offense to possess, take, injure, molest, or destroy a bird or its eggs, or the nests of birds when occupied by a bird or egg (B.C. Wildlife Act, Section 34). Eagle nests are protected year-round, whether or not the nest is in use. Permission and a written permit from the Province are required to remove or modify a tree or snag containing an active nest of these species.
Learn more from the Province of BC:
Develop with care: Bald Eagles and Ospreys Fact Sheet
Raccoons
Food-conditioned and human habituated raccoons become bolder around humans and when this happens, conflict often ensues. Raccoons can cause significant damage to gardens, buildings, crops, and livestock in their search for food and denning sites. They can also carry a roundworm parasite that is potentially dangerous to humans and our pets through contact with raccoon feces. It is better to keep raccoons wild by preventing their access to food and shelter on your property.
Garbage
- Keep all garbage securely stored until the day of collection.
- Ensure bins are tightly closed.
- Regularly wash all recycling items and clean the bins that contain garbage or recycling.
- Do not leave garbage in the back of a truck, even if it has a canopy.
- If you cannot store garbage securely, freeze smelly items and add to the bin only on the morning of collection.
Fruit trees and berry bushes
- Manage your fruit trees and berry bushes responsibly and pick all fruit as it ripens. Ensure windfalls do not accumulate below the trees or shrubs.
Birdfeeders
- Take birdfeeders down until winter. Birdfeeders can attract raccoons which can in turn attract larger predators. When birdfeeders are up, ensure fallen seed does not accumulate below the feeders.
Pets and pet food
- Feed pets indoors, or if fed outdoors, take in any feed that is not immediately eaten. Store all food securely inside.
To prevent access to your home and outbuildings:
- Seal up any holes or potential entrances around the exterior of your house and other buildings. This is best done before March or after August to avoid separating family units that may already be inside.
- You may want to remove any potential den sites from your property, or distance them from your buildings. These include brush piles, hollowed logs and woodpiles.
- Encourage an unwanted raccoon to move out of your attic or chimney by placing a bright light or radio in or near the den site.
- If you discover an old raccoon den site on your property, exercise caution when cleaning up any feces left behind. Some raccoons carry a dangerous parasitic roundworm that can be transmitted to humans and our pets through contact with raccoon feces.