The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) WildSafe program is about to hibernate for the winter.
The FVRD WildSafe program is shutting down for the season after another active year. Activities include door-to-door canvassing, garbage tagging and the WildSafe Ranger program at elementary schools.
Erin Patrick, the FVRD WildSafe BC community coordinator, said the usual sources for wildlife/human conflict calls for this past year were fruit trees (both residential and livestock) and garbage. A majority of the calls did not come from Agassiz or Harrison Hot Springs, but rather through Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Mission, respectively.
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Between January 1 and November 15, 2019, more than 70 percent of the calls to the WildSafe program were prompted by black bear activity; of the 1,158 calls, 838 were bear-related. The wildlife/human conflict activity peaked in June, but there was also a smaller spike in autumn, particularly in September and October.
Patrick said is grateful for the support of the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the Conservation Officer Service and Bylaw Enforcement as well as the efforts of everyone making a difference for human-wildlife conflicts.
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For off-season assistance for wildlife/human conflicts, call the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline by dialing #7277 or 1-877-952-7277 or by emailing bc@wildsafebc.com.
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