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Wildlife Guidelines

Wildlife Safety

Bears

Cougars

MoE Cougar Safety Information
BC Parks Cougar and Bear Safety [PDF 456KB]

Wolves

Wolf Safety Information

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.

More wildlife safety information

Wildlife Viewing Code of Ethics

As wildlife viewers, our goal is to watch animals behaving in natural ways in their natural habitats. We respect the needs of wild animals for space, natural vegetation, and ecological community. We recognize our responsibility to know the consequences of wildlife viewing.

Guidelines for Watching Marine Wildlife - poster [PDF 161KB]

As guiding principles we agree:

To view or photograph from a distance that respects the needs of wildlife, using proper equipment such as binoculars, spotting scopes and telephoto lenses. Before approaching wildlife we will first learn the spatial needs of each species and to recognize their alarm signals and behaviours.
To avoid noises or actions that might stress wildlife or cause animals to waste energy in unnecessary flight.
To be patient, remembering that we are guests in wildlife habitat.
To avoid approaching animals that are breeding, nesting, brooding or raising young, because parents and young are especially vulnerable at these times. We will learn the places and times to avoid these situations. We will not approach young or baby animals.
To avoid feeding wildlife outside the back yard, recognizing that feeding usually leads to problems such as unnatural food dependency, habituation to humans, disease or even death.
To keep pets on a leash around any wildlife, and avoid bringing pets into sensitive wildlife habitat.
To avoid trampling or damaging vegetation.
To respect the rules and regulations of protected areas. Trails, roads, closure areas and other management features are designed for safety and welfare of visitors, natural vegetation and wildlife.
To be respectful of other wildlife watchers and property owners.
To give back to nature for the gifts of wildlife viewing we receive, through conservation work for wildlife, wild land preservation, native vegetation renewal and through helping others learn the ethics of wildlife viewing.