A “BC Goes Wild” event has been planned for Sept. 5 in Porpoise Bay Provincial Park “with the purpose of celebrating B.C.’s wildlife.”
Bears are especially active in September and historically it’s the month with most conflicts between bears and humans, which is why WildSafe BC organizes events provincewide in that month.
“I’d love to see the Coast bring those numbers down,” said Sunshine Coast WildSafe BC community coordinator Erin Heeney.
The family-friendly event will include games, contests and educational booths, and Heeney will be on site to provide information about wildlife and attractant management.
Information will also be provided about WildSafeBC, BC Parks Rangers, and the Conservation Officer Service.
Heeney said all games are suited to physical distancing protocols and hand and surface sanitizer will be used on site. Since the event is outdoors, masks will not be required unless public health protocols change.
“By not having activities take place at designated times and rather have them ongoing, we're hopeful that we will see small groups throughout the event instead of a large gathering at once.”
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bear activity in the fall increases because they are preparing for denning season. They have to increase their body weight by about 30 per cent.
A WildSafeBC release reminds Sunshine Coast residents “about the importance of attractant management and what you can do to help to reduce conflict this time of year. Keep your garbage secured indoors until collection day, pick your fruit if you have fruit trees, and take down your bird feeders.”
More information is available at the WildSafeBCSunshineCoast Facebook page, by emailing [email protected] or calling 604-885-6800 ext. 6476.
