Human-Wildlife Conflict
- BC Parks reservations impacted by bear closures in 2022
- 814
- Number of black bears euthanized in BC in 2023, up from 493 in 2022
- 603
What is YOUR Impact?
Has a trail or park near you been temporarily closed due to human-wildlife conflict? Bears, coyotes, and cougars may frequently appear in the media headlines, but poor human behaviour is to blame. If we don’t make changes, we might lose everything. We need wildlife to remain wild.
A Fatal Attraction
Don’t be the reason a bear (or any animal) loses its life. On average, approximately 570 black bears and 22 grizzlies are “destroyed” by humans per year in British Columbia, with countless other species suffering the same fate.
Wild animals are driven by their keen sense of smell, so leaving attractants out (like bird seed, food, scented toiletries or garbage) is an open invitation. When animals venture into human spaces, it can create dangerous conflicts, sometimes resulting in injury or death to the wildlife, and occasionally, humans.
Pets and Humans Getting Too Close
The BC wilderness is home to many creatures from the animal kingdom, whether they be furry, scaly, feathered or finned. Wild animals see your dog as a predator and can become easily distressed. So, please be considerate and leash your dog.
You can also have negative impacts on wildlife. Entering sensitive habitats (such as salmon spawning streams and rivers) can threaten their natural behaviour and contaminate or destroy the only home they’ve ever known.
How to Stop Loving It To Death
It’s time to protect our fellow beings. We share our communities and favourite nature spots with fauna, large and small, and must learn to respect their habitats by reducing attractants, keeping your distance from sensitive ecosystems and not feeding wild animals.
Educate yourself about how to reduce your impact on wildlife.
Things You Can Do Right Now
1 Be Bear Aware and Whale Wise
Understand what it takes to ensure that you are safe and wildlife isn't impacted or killed by carelessness.
2 Reduce Wildlife Attractants at Home or While Travelling
Wild animals have a keen sense of smell and could become habituated to human attractants. Store food, garbage and scented items safely to avoid attracting wildlife.
3 Leave your dog at home or keep them leashed
Your best friend may love you, but they may find out they love chasing wildlife even better. Keep Fido, fellow travellers, and wildlife safe by leaving your dog at home or keeping them on leash (unless in a designated off-leash area).
4 Keep a safe distance from wildlife and don’t feed or approach them for photos
Remember: A fed bear is a dead bear. Let’s keep wildlife wild. Avoid feeding wildlife at all costs to keep both animals and humans safe from conflict.
5 Do not violate or enter sensitive habitats
Sure, getting a bit closer might make for a good photo, but trampling nature to get there isn't cool. Don't wreck habitats. Stick to the trail. Period.
Featured Resources
WildsafeBC
Be Whale Wise
Camper's Code
Resources
The following organizations offer a series of useful tips on how to minimize your footprint and enjoy the outdoors in a responsible and sustainable way.
General
- BC AdventureSmart
- BC Parks - Homepage
- CWSAA - Alpine Responsibility Code
- BC Parks - Responsible Recreation
- Hello BC - How to Travel Safely & Responsibly
- Indigenous Tourism BC - How to Travel Responsibly
- Leave No Trace
- Outdoor Recreation Council of BC - Recreate Responsibly
- Recycle BC - Pack Lean Leave Clean
- RecycleBC - Pack Lean Leave Clean - Toolkit
- Wilderness Tourism BC - ExploreWildBC Pledge
- BC Parks - KBYG Toilet Edition
- BCSARA - Outdoor Education
- Invasive Species Council of BC - Play Your Part
- Tourism Squamish - Responsible Recreation
- Tourism Whistler - Responsible Travel
- Vancouver North Shore - Know Before You Go
- Fire & Ice Aspiring Geopark
- Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere
- Adventure Hub - BC Search & Rescue Association
- AdventureSmart Trip Planning App
- BC Wildfire Service App
Boating & Watersports
Camping
- Camper's Code
- WildSafeBC - Bare Campsite Program
- Outdoor Recreation Council of BC - Recreate Responsibly
- BC Parks - Stay Safe in Bear Country
- BC Parks - Campfire Bans & Safety
- BC Parks - Backcountry Visitor Guide
- BC Gov - Know the Rules for Rec Sites & Trails
- BCSARA - Outdoor Education
- Invasive Species Council of BC - Campers
- AdventureSmart Trip Planning App
Fishing
Hiking
- BC AdventureSmart
- CWSAA - Alpine Responsibility Code
- Outdoor Recreation Council of BC - Recreate Responsibly
- BC Parks - Backcountry Visitor Guide
- BC Gov - Know the Rules for Rec Sites & Trails
- BCSARA - Outdoor Education
- Invasive Species Council of BC - Play Clean for Hikers
- AdventureSmart Trip Planning App
Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bike BC - Ride Respectfully
- Outdoor Recreation Council of BC - Recreate Responsibly
- BC Parks - Backcountry Visitor Guide
- BC Gov - Know the Rules for Rec Sites & Trails
- BCSARA - Outdoor Education
- Invasive Species Council of BC - Mountain Bikers
- Pemberton Off-Road Cycling Association
- Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association
- Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association
- North Shore Mountain Bike Association
- AdventureSmart Trip Planning App