predator precautions
Photo by Mollie Cameron
bears
Bears are highly intelligent and adaptable animals with an exceptional sense of smell—about 2,000 times stronger than a human’s. This powerful sense allows them to detect food sources from miles away, including human-provided attractants such as garbage, pet food, compost, or fruit trees.
Importantly, bears are omnivores—they survive by eating both plant and animal matter and are considered opportunistic foragers. Their diet changes with the seasons: in spring they may eat young mammals or roots, in summer they typically feast on berries, and in fall they seek out calorie-rich foods like salmon. However, when humans leave out unnatural food sources—like overflowing trash bins, unharvested fruit trees, or outdoor pet food—it creates an artificial buffet that bears are quick to take advantage of.
One major issue is that bears are unable to distinguish between natural and non-natural food sources. Their decisions are driven by scent and opportunity. If something smells like food, they’ll investigate it—whether it’s a dumpster or a berry bush.
When garbage or other attractants are not properly secured, they become a powerful lure for bears. Once a bear learns that a trash can or compost bin contains food, it often returns repeatedly. This behavior quickly leads to habituation, which occurs when a wild animal is repeatedly exposed to the same stimulus—like human environments—without experiencing any negative consequence. Getting into unsecured garbage or raiding a fruit tree becomes a learned behavior—and one the bear won’t soon forget. It becomes food-conditioned, meaning it begins to seek out human-related food sources rather than natural ones.
This change in behavior increases the likelihood of dangerous encounters with people, pets, and vehicles. It puts both the bear and the community at risk.
While it's easy to place blame on the bears, the root cause is often human negligence. Wildlife, including bears, are simply following instinct and survival behaviors. They are not “bad” animals—they’re responding to the environment we create. When human food is made accessible, bears are drawn in by the scent, not by any understanding of right or wrong.
Once a bear becomes food-conditioned and habituated, reversing that behavior is nearly impossible. This leads to tragic outcomes. The well-known phrase, "A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear," speaks to the sad reality that bears reliant on human food often must be euthanized. Relocation efforts are sometimes tried, but they’re rarely successful—these bears usually return to where food was easily found.
Human-wildlife conflict often begins—and can end—with public action or inaction.
Under Section 33.1 of the Wildlife Act of British Columbia, and according to local Sooke bylaws, it is prohibited to provide attractants to dangerous wildlife. Failing to secure garbage or other attractants can result in hefty fines.
Managing attractants:
1) Use a bear-resistant bin, secure garbage in the garage or shed until the morning of collection.
2) Protect livestock with an electric fence and shelter.
3) Pick fruit trees and prevent windfall.
4) Do not feed wildlife and refrain from using bird feeders.
5) Freeze organic waste to prevent it from smelling.
6) Clean BBQ after every use.
7) Feed pets indoors.
8) Store pet and livestock feed in a bear-resistant location.
9) Keep the yard free of all attractants.
10) Be wild wise and report bear encounters.
Hyperphagia and Hibernation: How Bears Prepare for Winter
When fall arrives, black bears enter a crucial stage known as hyperphagia—a period of intense, nonstop eating as they prepare for winter hibernation. During this time, bears consume vast amounts of nutrient-rich foods like berries, nuts, and fish, building the fat reserves needed to survive months of dormancy. Incredibly, a bear in hyperphagia can eat up to 26,000 calories per day—the equivalent of about 76 cheeseburgers.
But there’s even more at stake. For female black bears, these fat reserves are essential not just for survival—but for reproduction. Black bears experience a fascinating process called delayed implantation. Although mating occurs in the spring, the fertilized egg doesn't immediately implant in the uterus. Instead, it remains in a state of suspension until the female has accumulated enough fat during hyperphagia.
If a female bear fails to build sufficient fat stores, the embryo will not implant and will be reabsorbed by her body. No pregnancy. No cubs. That means a successful pregnancy—and the birth of healthy cubs in the spring—depends entirely on how well she can eat in the fall.
As winter approaches and natural food becomes scarce, many animals migrate, change foraging behavior, or hibernate. For bears, hibernation is a key survival strategy. By early winter, they retreat to dens, relying on the fat they've stored. While hibernating, a bear’s heart rate, breathing, and metabolism drop dramatically. They move very little and produce minimal waste, staying tucked away until spring—though they may occasionally wake briefly.
However, bears may delay or skip hibernation altogether if human-sourced food—like garbage or compost—is readily available. To keep bears wild and healthy, it's crucial that people manage attractants properly.
The Salmon Run: Fueling Bears and the Forest
In British Columbia, the salmon spawn is one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles, drawing people from all over to watch thousands of salmon make their way upstream to reproduce.
Salmon are a high-calorie, nutrient-dense food that provides bears with the fuel they need during hyperphagia. After catching salmon, bears often carry them into the forest to eat. But they rarely consume the entire fish—leaving behind bones, skin, and scraps. These remains decompose on the forest floor, releasing nutrients like nitrogen into the soil.
This process nourishes the forest itself. Studies show that nutrients from salmon contribute directly to the growth of BC’s massive trees, including the towering cedars and firs that define its temperate rainforests. Bears act as nutrient couriers, creating a unique and vital link between river and forest.
Respecting Wildlife During the Salmon Run
While witnessing the salmon run is an unforgettable experience, it's important to remember that our presence can impact the wildlife that depends on it. Here’s how to enjoy this season responsibly:
1. Avoid Large Groups When Photographing Bears
Though tempting, gathering in large groups to watch or photograph bears can scare them off and interrupt feeding. Bears need to feel safe to forage effectively. If you're in a bear-viewing area, stay quiet, keep your distance, and always prioritize their needs over the perfect picture.
2. Keep Dogs Leashed and Away from the Water
Dogs off-leash can stress wildlife and disrupt sensitive ecosystems. Barking, chasing, or even swimming in the river during the salmon spawn can disturb both fish and bears. Keep pets leashed and away from spawning grounds.
3. Be a Responsible Angler – Stay Out of the River
If you’re fishing during the spawn, avoid wading through the riverbed, as salmon eggs are often buried in the gravel. Stepping on these nests can destroy future generations of salmon. Stick to riverbanks or shallow areas that don’t disturb critical habitat.
Photo by Mollie Cameron
Bear Safety Tips
If you spot a bear near your home (from a safe location):
Stay inside. Make loud noises to scare the bear away—use your voice, bang pots and pans, or use an air horn. It's important the bear learns it’s not welcome near human homes.
If you encounter a bear in the wild:
Stay calm and do not run or scream. Back away slowly and give the bear plenty of space. Alert other hikers in the area. To avoid surprise encounters, hike in groups and make noise by talking, singing, or clapping. Keep pets leashed at all times and have bear spray easily accessible.
Speak to the bear in a calm, deep voice and make yourself look larger by raising your arms. Keep small children and pets close.
Remember: while all predators can be dangerous, bears usually try to avoid humans and typically only approach when attractants like food are present.
Respect their space, and they’ll likely respect yours.
Living in bear country means we must be prepared to coexist with bears at all times—not just when sightings are reported. Practicing everyday awareness and safe habits helps reduce conflicts and keeps both people and bears safe.
That said, we do appreciate when sightings or interactions are reported. Sharing this information allows us to raise awareness among nearby neighbours and promote practices that support safe coexistence between bears and our community. All reports are kept confidential—specific locations will not be shared outside of our program.
If you witness a bear conflict or encounter a bear behaving unusually, please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
Early reporting creates an opportunity for education and can help influence both public and bear behaviour in a positive way.
Together, we can foster a community where people and wildlife safely share the landscape.
Photo by Mollie Cameron
COUGARS
Managing attractants
Keep pets on a leash: Off leash dogs and free-roaming cats are at risk of predation. Cougars that consume domestic cats also risk contracting diseases like distemper.
Cougars are opportunistic animals that are consistently on the move, if an unattended pet crosses their path, they may act on their natural instincts as predators.
Secure livestock: Livestock, especially smaller animals, should be properly secured in cougar-safe enclosures to prevent potential conflicts, especially between dusk and dawn as these quieter times provide more freedom for these animals to roam without human interaction.
Cougars—also known as mountain lions or pumas—are solitary and elusive animals. Despite Vancouver Island having the highest cougar density in the world, sightings are still relatively rare. As apex predators, cougars are carnivores that rely on stealth and the element of surprise to hunt. They prefer to stalk their prey and ambush it, often killing by asphyxiation. Their exceptional agility, keen eyesight, and acute hearing are all contributing factors to their successes in acquiring prey—unlike bears or wolves, they have a poor sense of smell.
These big cats are opportunistic hunters and don’t discriminate between wild and domestic prey. Free-roaming pets, off-leash dogs, and unsecured livestock are all vulnerable. Though cougars can be active at any time, they usually hunt at night to avoid human contact. Cougars tend to avoid areas where they can't visually assess potential dangers in advance, making them unlikely to enter dark or enclosed spaces blindly.
Cougars roam large territories and rarely stay in one place unless there’s a cached food source, a potential mate, or kittens nearby. With many communities bordering forested areas, human-wildlife overlap is common, increasing the chances of encounters. While attacks on pets are rare, it's essential to always be cougar-aware at all times and not exclusively when a sighting goes viral on social media.
Interestingly, cougars don’t have a set mating season—they can breed year-round. Their courtship includes a unique form of communication: scent marking through urine and feces, which signals reproductive readiness. After a brief mating period, the male and female go their separate ways, maintaining their solitary nature.
Cougar kittens are born into a natal den, they exclusively nurse for approximately two months before the mother introduces solid food by bringing back small, easily transportable pieces of prey back to the den. Cougar mothers will often leave their kits for extended periods to hunt. By around three-four months of age, kits are fully weaned and eating a carnivorous diet.
Kits will typically stay with their mothers for 14-20 months.
Cougars prefer fresh meat and often abandon kills once the meat spoils.
It’s important to remember that with cougars being extremely territorial animals, they naturally regulate their own populations. If deer or other prey seem absent in certain areas, it doesn’t always mean they’re gone—wildlife moves constantly in response to environmental shifts, just like humans do.
Photo by Shannon Hamilton
If you see a cougar from a secure location (like your home) – stay inside. Scare it away by making noise via your voice, banging pots and pans, air horn, etc.. It is important that the cougar knows it is not welcome close to our homes.
If you see a cougar while out in nature, stay calm and give it space. Back away from the area and alert other hikers to the cougar’s presence. Avoid surprise encounters by hiking in groups, talking or signing to yourself. Always keep pets on leash and have bear spray readily available. DO NOT RUN OR SCREAM. Talk to the cougar in a calm deep voice, maintain eye contact and do not turn your back on the animal. You can make yourself look big by outstretching your arms.
Pick up small children and keep pets close by.
Report cougar sightings so others can be made aware.
Photo by Gary Schroyen
Photo by The Cougar Coexistence Initiative
If you witness a cougar conflict or encounter a cougar behaving unusually, please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
Reporting a cougar doesn’t mean it will automatically be killed. In most cases, incidents of cougar predation, like accessing pets or livestock due to unsecured attractants, are isolated events. Cougars that repeat these behaviours are not usually candidates for relocation, but authorities will often monitor the situation. However, if dangerous behavior escalates and proper animal husbandry and pet responsibilities are being exercised, wildlife officials may need to intervene to ensure public safety. This is why preventing conflicts through proper management is so critical.
Photo by Mollie Cameron
WOLVES
Vancouver Island wolves are typically elusive and shy creatures, most often found roaming the dense forests and along the expansive coastline. While they generally live and travel in packs, it's not uncommon for individuals to hunt alone, remaining within earshot of their pack through vocal communication.
Wolves can be active at any time—day or night—and their behaviors often shift with the seasons and availability of food. Within a pack, a dominant pair—commonly referred to as the "alpha" pair—are usually the only ones to breed, while the rest of the pack plays a vital role in raising the pups and supporting the group's survival.
Mating typically occurs once a year during the winter months, with the female fertile for only a brief period. After mating, she gives birth to a litter of pups, and the entire pack contributes to their care and protection.
It's important to note that wolves in British Columbia are not a protected species, and can legally be killed without a specific species license. Because of this, we urge caution when sharing the location of wolves on social media, as doing so can inadvertently put them at risk.
Wolves, as apex predators, play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of the ecosystems they inhabit. Known as a keystone species, they exert top-down pressure on the environment by regulating the populations of ungulates (such as deer and elk). This helps prevent overgrazing, preserves plant diversity, and ensures the stability of the entire ecosystem. The absence of wolves can lead to an overabundance of ungulates, which can result in a decline in plant diversity, increased invasive species, and harm to river systems. This process, known as a trophic cascade, demonstrates the far-reaching impact wolves have on maintaining biodiversity.
We acknowledge that interactions with wolves can be concerning, but we want to emphasize that such occurrences are rare. The presence of wolves in our community is an opportunity to witness the vital role they play in keeping our environment balanced.
As always, we encourage residents to exercise caution, respect wildlife, and report any further concerns so we can continue to ensure the safety and well-being of both our community and the local wildlife.
DO NOT FEED OR APPROACH WOLVES.
If you see a wolf (or wolves) from a secure location (like your home) – stay inside. Scare it away by making noise via your voice, banging pots and pans, using an air horn, etc... They must know they are not welcome close to our homes.
If you see a wolf (or wolves) while out in nature, stay calm and give it space.
Always keep pets on a leash and have bear spray readily available.
DO NOT RUN OR SCREAM.
Talk to the wolf in a calm deep voice. You can make yourself look big by outstretching your arms.
Pick up small children and keep pets close by.
Managing attractants
Keep pets on a leash: Wolves generally approach dogs not out of aggression or habituation, but to provoke a flight response. This behavior is rooted in their natural instinct to chase prey that flees, as this increases their chances of a successful hunt. Wolves are fast, often reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h when chasing prey, which is difficult for any human or dog to outrun. However, it is important to note that wolves are not typically inclined to attack humans or pets unless they feel directly threatened.
Secure livestock: Unsecured livestock can be attractants for wolves. Although they typically prefer to keep their distance from humans, they may be drawn closer to our homes if given the opportunity of an easy meal. A well-maintained electric fence and secure shelter are strongly encouraged
Photo by Mollie Cameron
If anyone has information on wolves they would like to share with us please email: wildwise123@gmail.com or call our wildlife reporting line: 250-880-8371.
Everything is kept confidential and specific locations will not be shared outside of our program.
Thank you, we can work together to help protect the wolves and our community.
If you witness a wolf conflict or encounter a wolf behaving unusually, please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.