The bears are almost all denned up for the winter, as is the WildSafeBC Columbia Shuswap Program.
WildSafeBC’s goal is prevent conflict with wildlife through education, collaboration and community solutions.
The Columbia Shuswap coordinator, Olivia Lemke, has been working with the community to prevent negative outcomes for wildlife and for people by providing wildlife information and conflict-reduction strategies to residents, visitors, and the business community. Education outreach has included attendance at community events, door-to-door canvassing, wildlife awareness and safety presentations, bear spray workshops, and WildSafe Ranger presentations in schools.
In September, we held a special BC Goes Wild event with games and prizes at the Sorrento Village Farmers’ Market. Please view our year-end report, scheduled to be released in December on our website, to learn more about what we were able to accomplish this year.
While the bears may be soon in their dens, there are many other animals that do not hibernate and we encourage everyone to become more familiar with the wildlife that may be passing through our communities. Please report sightings of bears, wolves or cougars in urban/residential areas, or wildlife in conflict, to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
Please visit wildsafebc.com and follow our Facebook page for updates, tips, and other information to assist you in keeping wildlife wild and your community safe!
WildSafeBC Columbia Shuswap is grateful for the generous support the program receives from its funders including the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Province of BC.
(Reprinted from WildSafe BC)
