Wildlife safety on Vancouver Island

Learning some basic Vancouver Island wildlife safety is absolutely essential for anyone planning to explore beyond Victoria’s city streets.

Vancouver Island is home to an array of animals, including black bears, wolves and cougars. Grizzly bear sightings on the Island are incredibly uncommon but have been increasing over the last 10 years.

It’s totally normal to be frightened at the prospect of encountering a bear (or wolf or cougar), especially if you don’t live in a place with them or are new to outdoor activities.

While attacks from bears, wolves and cougars remain extremely rare– you’re actually more likely to be hit by lightning – it is crucial to know how to avoid a negative encounter and what to do in the very unlikely event it does happen.

This is not only beneficial for you but also important for ensuring the safety of local wildlife.

General safety tips

• Make noise while hiking. This alerts wildlife to your presence and gives them a chance to avoid you. As a general rule, animals don’t want to be close to humans. The easiest way is to call, sing, clap or talk loudly.

• Keep dogs on a leash. Most parks and trails require this. Off-leash dogs can chase and harass wildlife, provoking defensive behaviour

• Remain alert at all times. Watch for wildlife signs like fresh tracks, diggings and scat (droppings)

• Travel in a group if you can. The larger the group, the less likely you are to have any issues

• Store and dispose of food and trash properly. Pack out everything you bring with you (don't leave food/trash behind) OR be sure to use an animal safe trash bin. When camping, store food and smelly items in a hard sided vehicle, metal food cache or bear hang

• Give wildlife space. If you do see any animals, keep your distance - ideally 100m or more. This offers them an escape route

Know what to do if a wolf, cougar or bear approaches you. Different techniques are required, depending on the type of animal and its behaviour

Bears

An estimated 7000 black bears live on Vancouver Island. They are omnivorous, meaning they eat plants as well as other animals. For the most part, they are pretty opportunistic and will eat anything they find.

In general, black bears don't like to be around humans. Most of the black bears I've seen on Vancouver Island will run away as soon as they have heard humans.

On longer or quieter trails (and especially when alone), I carry bear spray. Bear spray is an aerosol deterrent made with chili pepper oil, designed to be deployed at close range in the face of an aggressive bear. This 'last resort tool' is sold in outdoor shops across Vancouver Island.

I say 'quieter' rather than 'remote' because many of the black bears I've seen on the Island have been in urban areas e.g. local parks and trails!

What to do if you see a bear

• Stop, stay calm and do not approach

• Speak to the bear in a calm but firm tone

• If the bear is moving, wait at a safe distance

• Move slowly away and give the bear plenty of space

• If in a group, stay together

• Be prepared to turn around and go back the way you came if necessary

• Have bear spray ready with the safety off

What to do if the bear doesn't leave

• Watch the bear's behaviour - your response will vary accordingly

Never:

• Run

• Drop your bag

• Scream

• Make sudden movements

• Turn your back on the bear

• Block the bear’s escape route

• Approach den sites or carcasses

Wolves and cougars

Wolves are not commonly seen on Vancouver Island but encounters do occasionally happen in certain areas, such as uninhabited northern and western coastal areas.

Pretty shy in general, wolves usually stay far away from humans. Deer and elk are their main prey. Wolves often, but not always, travel in packs of five or more.

With about 600-800 resident cougars (about a quarter of those in BC), Vancouver Island has the highest concentration of cougars in North America. Despite that, cougars are still rarely seen.

Also known as mountain lions, cougars are best known for stalking their prey. As with wolves, deer are their main prey.

What to do if you see a wolf or cougar

• Stop, stay calm and do not approach

• Pick up small children

• If in a group, stay together

• Make and maintain eye contact with the animal

• Wave your arms and shout

• Leave the area immediately if wolf pups or cougar kittens are spotted

What to do if the wolf or cougar does not leave

• Make yourself look dangerous!

• Try to appear larger - put your arms up

• Be noisy, use an air horn if you have one

• Maintain eye contact

• If the wolf or cougar approaches, throw sticks and stones or use bear spray

• Hit the animal in the eyes and nose

Never:

• Run

• Crouch down

• Turn your back on the wolf or cougar

• Approach den sites or carcasses