WATCH ABOVE: Global News’ BC1’s Sonia Sunger talks to Todd Windle from Parks Canada
VANCOUVER – The wolf problem on the west coast of Vancouver Island appears to be escalating. A pack of wolves attacked a pair of dogs on Wickaninnish Beach near Ucluelet on Tuesday. One of the dogs was dragged away and is presumed dead.
Last week a local councillor’s dog also escaped a wolf attack.
“On Tuesday morning of this week, two dogs that were off-leash on Wickaninnish Beach in the National Park Reserve were attacked by a pair of wolves,” says Todd Windle, a human-wildlife conflict expert with Parks Canada. “Unfortunately, one of them didn’t make it.”
Windle says they have seen these interactions between wolves and peoples’ pets before and it is not uncommon.
“I think what is concerning is that the behaviour shows some habituation of the wolves,” he says. “So that’s sort of a loss of fear of people, coming close to people, or not being scared of people, and that’s a behaviour that they learn over time through repeated experiences with people.”
He says each encounter has to be looked at and investigated to find out what the behaviours were of the people and the wolves in the situation, but he says at this time, they do not think there is an increased risk to people.
He does however, recommend keeping pets on a leash.
“The number one thing they can do is put them on a leash because the un-leashed pets certainly are at a higher risk.”
There are signs up in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada warning people about the recent encounters so visitors are aware.
Some tips for the public:
Wolf Deterrence:
- Remove all potential food sources from outdoor area (ie: garbage)
- Thoroughly clean areas where game may have been quartered
- Supervise young children when out playing or walking
- Do not leave small pets unattended in outdoor area
If You Encounter a Wolf:
- Do not run
- Stay calm
- Back away slowly while facing the animal
- Leave the wolf a way to escape
- Pick up small children without bending down
- Raise your voice and speak firmly
- If the wolf approaches or acts aggressively, wave your arms and make yourself look as large as possible
- Shout, make noise and throw any available objects
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