Clayoquot Connections
Fun, Affordable, Family Oriented Marine Tours
My Blog
Blog
Preventing Wolf Habituation; from BC Parks
| Posted on August 21, 2021 at 12:55 AM |
comments ()
|
Good day,
You are receiving this notice as a Park Use Permit holder authorized to conduct commercial recreation activities within Vargas Island Park.
As you may already know, there have been some concerning interactions between park guests and the wolves as of late. One or more wolves have been showing behaviour that would indicate that they are food conditioned and habituated. This is very serious and BC Parks staff are asking that all Permittees provide wildlife information to the guests that they are transporting to the island so that we can try and avoid future conflict. If the wolves continue to exhibit concerning behaviour it will only be a matter of time before someone is hurt and the animals destroyed. I remind you to please share the following information with your guests.
With the recent increase in wildlife activity in and around Vargas Island Provincial Park, BC Parks is advising park users to:
Be extremely mindful about how food and attractants are stored, always use food caches where possible, and have equipment to hang food if food caches are full. Kayak hatches and dry bags are NOT a suitable place to store food as wolves have learned how to get into them. Unlawfully storing food and/or garbage may result in an eviction or violation ticket under section 33.1 of the Wildlife Act.
Due to high frequency of wildlife coming into campsites during the night, do not sleep outside your tent.
Do not bring pets to Vargas Island Park. Dogs are a high level attractant to wolves and other large carnivores. Protect your pet – keep them at home.
Do not attempt to get in close proximity to wildlife, specifically large carnivores. Do your part to help keep wildlife wild.
If a wolf approaches, scare it off immediately. Do not wait. Make noise, wave your arms and scare it away. If attacked, fight back.
Do not camp near natural food sources such as marine wildlife carcasses.
If you encounter an aggressive wild animal, report it to the Conservation Officer Service 24-hour hotline toll free at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or #7277 on the Telus Mobility Network.
Lastly, there is a fire ban in effect and campfires are not permitted in Vargas Island Park. Please ensure that your guests are aware of this. We have had several reports of campers having fires in the park so we will be increasing our patrols to ensure compliance to the current Order. Anyone having a campfire can be subject to an $1150 fine and will be evicted from the park.
Kind regards,
Michael Grandbois
Clayoquot Area Supervisor
BC Parks
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
West Coast Region
(250) 736-6816
Notice to Clayoquot Connections from BC Parks 09/06/19
| Posted on September 7, 2019 at 4:29 PM |
comments ()
|
From BC Parks; You are receiving this as a Park Use Permit holder for Vargas Island Provincial Park. As you may already know, BC Parks has received several recent reports of wolf activity in the provincial park on Vargas Island. I would like to take a moment to remind operators of the importance of their responsibility to ensure that their guests are not having a long lasting impact on the animals present in the park. There have been some concerning reports of park users seen in close proximity to wolves and in areas currently being frequented by the pack. Approaching wolves and maintaining a presence around them can and will lead to habituation. Wolves should be allowed to roam free in their range and have access to food without interference by park visitors. BC Park Rangers have been patrolling the beaches in the areas of concern and will be taking action against anyone found to be harassing or interacting in any way with the wolves. In light of this, I would strongly suggest that all operators transporting guests to Vargas Island ensure that they are aware of the following messaging posted on the BC Parks website: |
Notice from BC Parks; Sept 6/19
| Posted on September 7, 2019 at 4:25 PM |
comments ()
|
ATTENTION: With the recent increase in wildlife activity in and around Vargas Island Provincial Park, BC Parks is advising park users to adhere to the following;
Do not attempt to get in close proximity to wildlife, specifically large carnivores. Please do your part when recreating in the backcountry and help keep wildlife wild. If you encounter an aggressive wild animal, report it by calling the Conservation Officer Service 24-hour hotline toll free at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or #7277 on the Telus Mobility Network. |
Notice from BC Parks; Sept. 6/19
| Posted on September 7, 2019 at 4:23 PM |
comments ()
|
BC Parks will continue to patrol the area to ensure that visitors are acting in a responsible manner. Any concerning behaviour or willful disregard for the regulations in the Park Act or Wildlife Act will lead to enforcement action. If you see anything of concern, please feel free to report it to me. Habituation and food conditioning will undoubtedly lead to conflict with humans and serious consequences for all involved. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this matter. All the best, Michael Grandbois Clayoquot Area Supervisor BC Parks Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy West Coast Region (250) 725-2149 |
Whales at Ahous Bay
| Posted on August 9, 2016 at 12:57 PM |
comments ()
|
Recently, while entering Ahous Bay for remote island surfing and camping drop-off on the West Side on Vargas Island, we encountered 4 Gray Whales feeding. On the return cruise back to Tofino there were 8 whales in Ahous Bay, it is always great to see larger numbers of whales and wildlife in Clayoquot Sound. The Remote Surfing and Camping drop-off is at a very protected smaller cove just West of Ahous Bay, with a 5 minute hike through the forest to a beautiful prestine beach with a great surfing break on Vargas Island. That beach with some sand dunes is known locally as Little BaJa; it is a great place to Camp, Surf, and Beachcomb. I should mention there is a food cache and a toilet at the drop-off cove. Few people go there and with plenty of beach you should be able to find your solitude if that's what you're looking for. |
Minimizing Wolf Habituation
| Posted on May 31, 2016 at 3:24 PM |
comments ()
|
Info from BC Parks is 1st `Comment`, I was unable to post the article directly. |
BC Parks Wolf Info
| Posted on August 11, 2013 at 5:24 PM |
comments ()
|
Wolf Advisory – August 10th, 2013 Over this past week BC Parks has received numerous reports of close wolf encounters on Vargas Island. A number of these reports indicate that one or more animal(s) is habituated and is looking for human food. At this time it is imperative that all people going to Vargas Island be extremely mindful with how they store their food at night or during the day if camp is un-occupied. Food left unattended for even a brief time can be enough to entice wolves that are already highly habituated to people. All park users should have a solid plan to securely store their food and should have the equipment and skills available to hang their food in the event food caches are full. Further to this, following the steps below will help prevent wolves from habituating to humans and becoming food conditioned: Space is safe It is extremely important to discourage wolves from approaching people. The larger the space between you and the wolf, the safer it is for both you and the wolf. If a wolf appears and acts unafraid, take the following action as soon as you notice the animal:
Remember: The wolves needs to know that you may be a threat to them. Good Camping Ethics It is extremely important that park visitors ensure all food and items smelling of food are stored out of reach of wildlife.
Please follow the above camping ethics when in wolf country and help keep wolves wild. Recreating in Coastal Wolf habitat It is common for wolves to feed on seal and sea lion carcasses that have washed up on the shores of the coastal islands. To allow natural feeding, BC Parks is asking all hikers, campers, and kayakers to avoid camping or hanging out at locations where a seal or sea lion carcass has washed ashore. As well, if in a vessel or kayak, do not approach wolves that are foraging along the coastline or swimming across channels. The fact that you are on a vessel or in a kayak will not eliminate the course of habituation. Do not bring your dog. Dogs are a high level attractant to wolves and other large carnivores. Protect your pet – keep them at home. BC Parks is still strongly advising park visitors to not bring their pets to Vargas Island and Flores Island Parks. Please report wolf sighting to BC Parks staff; and report any wildlife - human interactions where public safety is at risk by dialing 24 hour hotline 1-877-952-7277. |
Wolf Habituation
| Posted on August 11, 2013 at 5:09 PM |
comments ()
|
BC Parks is asking all park users to, "Report any human-wildlife interaction where public safety is at risk." This includes any activities like leaving food for wolves and/or 'baiting' animals to increase photo opportunities. Any activity that habituates wild predatory animals to human contact most often leads to their demise and I'm sure none of us want to be responsible for the death of bears or wolves; or for that matter an animal attack on another person, particularly a child. BC Parks is also asking us to report all wolf sightngs. To report call 250 954-4618 or 250 725-2149. For more information checkout www.bcparks.ca |
Wolves on Vargas Island
| Posted on June 25, 2013 at 2:31 PM |
comments ()
|
BC Parks is strongly recommending that DOGS not be brought to the island. There was an attack recently in the Flores Island Prov. Park were a dog was killed. |
Animal Activity
| Posted on August 21, 2012 at 3:03 PM |
comments ()
|
Lots of activity has been occurring in Tofino's harbour so far this year. Just 3 days ago a pod of 5 Orcas (Killer Whales) passed right through the harbour mid-day. And there have been a lot more sighting of Sea Otters and Harbour Porpoises near the native village of Opitsat on Meares Island than in previous years to my memory I've been so busy that I haven't been able to post that about a month ago there were several Humpback Whales in the Harbour coming and going for a couple of days; I've never seen that before in my 23 years of living in Tofino, that's incredible! Also a couple of weeks ago while cruising through a narrow passage on the way to pick-up some quests that were island camping there was a black Wolf was swimming over to Vargas Island and only about 25 meters from the boat; got some great video. |