Wildlife
Bears
If you're working outdoors in BC, or most anywhere in North America, you will encounter bears in the wild. Your goal in all instances is to keep visual encounters from becoming physical encounters. Whether driving, hiking, or in camp, ensure that you are being "Bear Aware" and minimize the chance of a problem encounter.
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Resources:
| U of A Earth & Atmospheric Sciences - Bear Safety Information: Awareness & Avoidance (comprehensive information for field personnel about bear characteristics and behaviour, how to avoid and react to encounters, and more - read thoroughly!) | http://safety.eas.ualberta.ca/?p=20 |
| The Get Bear Smart Society - Bear Smart at work and in the Field (wide range of info, link is to "Bear Smart at work and in the field", but very useful info throughout this site) | http://www.bearsmart.com/becoming-bear-smart/work |
| Yukon Environment - Guidelines for Industrial Activity in Bear Country (includes info on camp design and best practices) | http://www.geology.gov.yk.ca/pdf/ Guidelines_for_Industrial_Activity_in_Bear_Country-web.pdf |
| Yukon Environment - How to stay safe in bear country | http://www.env.gov.yk.ca/publications-maps/documents/howyoucanstaysafe.pdf |
| Parks Canada - Bear Management | Bears and People - (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/v-g/oursgest-bearmanag/sec7/og-bm7.aspx) The "Bare" Campsite Program - (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/v-g/oursgest-bearmanag/sec7/og-bm7a.aspx) |
| BC Parks - Bear Safety | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/misc/bears/bearsaf.html |
| Bear Aware BC/ WildSafeBC - Bear Safety | https://wildsafebc.com/ |
| AdventureSmart - Bear Safety | http://www.adventuresmart.ca/trip_safety/bearsafety.htm |
Cougars
While cougar encounters are rare, and attacks even more rare, they do still occur. As with any wildlife, assume the possibility of unpredictable behaviour and follow best practices.
Resources:
| BC Environment - Safety Guide to Cougars | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/cougsf.htm |
| BC Environment: CO Service - Cougars | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/info/wildlife_human_interaction/docs/cougars.html |
| Alberta Parks - Cougars | http://www.albertaparks.ca/media/4477103/preventing_conflict_with_wildlife-cougars.pdf |
| AdventureSmart - Cougar Safety | http://www.adventuresmart.ca/trip_safety/cougarsafety.htm |
| Squamish.ca - Cougar Safety | http://squamish.ca/residents/bear-aware/cougar-safety |
| GBOP - Cougar Safety | http://bearinfo.org/cougars/cougar-safety/ |
| Alberta: Sustainable Resource Development - Cougars & Outdoor Recreation | http://esrd.alberta.ca/recreation-public-use/cougars-outdoor-recreation/default.aspx |
Moose and other large mammals
Caution needs to be taken around all large wildlife. Special care should especially be observed when driving in areas inhabited by moose and other large mammals.
Resources:
| Wildlife Collision Prevention Program - Highway safety related to moose and other large animals | http://www.wildlifeaccidents.ca/about_us.htm |
| Alaska Highway Safety Office - Moose Safety | http://www.dot.state.ak.us/highwaysafety/moose.shtml |
| Newfoundland Labrador Hydro- Be Moose Safe! | http://nlhydroblog.com/be-moose-safe |
| National Park Service - Moose Safety | http://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/moose-safety.htm |
| GEICO - Deer Safety: Tips for Avoiding a Collision | http://www.geico.com/information/publications/newsletter/2009/deer-safety/ |
Wolves/Coyotes
Wolves (and coyotes) generally avoid contact with humans, but can act aggressively. Never approach a wild animal and know what to do if an animal shows signs of aggression.
Resources:
| BC Parks - Wolf Safety | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/misc/wolves/wolfsaf.html |
| GBOP - Wolf Safety | http://bearinfo.org/gray_wolf/wolf-saftey/ |
| GBOP- Wolves: Tips for coexistence | http://bearinfo.org/gray_wolf/tips-for-coexistence/ |
| Alaska Dept of Fish & Game - Staying Safe in wolf country | http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/species/livingwithwildlife/pdfs/wolf_safety_brochure.pdf |
| BC Environment - Coyotes | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/info/wildlife_human_interaction/docs/coyotes.html |
| NS Natural Resurces - Keep coyotes away from you in the woods | http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/keep-coyotes-away.asp |
| Ont. Min of Natural Resurces - Coyotes, Wolves, Foxes | http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/preventing-and-managing-conflicts-coyotes-wolves-and-foxes |
(Rattle)snakes
The only truly venomous snake found in BC is the Northern Pacific (Western) Rattlesnake; however, all BC snakes are protected species and should be left to themselves in the wild (venomous or not...)
Resources:
| S. Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Program - Working in Snake Country | http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Working%20in%20Snake%20Country%202003.pdf |
| BC Reptiles - Northern Pacific Rattlesnake | http://www.bcreptiles.ca/snakes/n_pacificrattle.htm |
| BC Environment - Western Rattlesnake | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/rattlesnake.pdf |
| BC Reptiles - Rattlers and others... | http://www.bcreptiles.ca/more_rattlers.htm |
| Sea 2 Sky Safety Training Services: Safety un-Limited blog. - Snake Bites | http://blog.sea2skyservices.com/2012/08/03/snake-bites-3-things-i-learned-from-the-movies/ |
| BC Agriculture - Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Factsheet | http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/speccrop/publications/documents/rattlesnake_facts.pdf |
| Okanagan Vacation Guide - The Western Rattle Snake | http://www.okanaganvacationguide.com/western-rattle-snake.html |
Insects
All kinds of critters with all kinds of things worth thinking about...
Resources: