Wild Wise Campbell River

Please note that the Quinsam River Hatchery, located near Campbell River, has now restricted all after-hour access to the dam area, which is located behind the hatchery facility. This is for everyone’s safety and to allow the bears time and space to eat.

Over the past couple of years, the number of daytime visitors has increased to over 1,000 people per day. This facility is a wonderful educational site to visit and learn about the salmon and other wildlife that play key roles within our eco system. Visiting hours are: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The main gate that is located at Argonaut / Quinsam Road is locked at 3:30 pm.

If you are visiting the Hatchery, walking the trails, or fishing in the river system, please respect the black bears and give them the space they require to feed, and do not bring food with you to the river.

Fun Facts:
• In the Fall, black bears are awake and forging 20 out of 24 hours as they have now entered hyperphagia mode
• During hyperphagia mode, they need to eat 20 to 30 Salmon a day which equals 20,000 calories a day (or 60 cheese burgers).
• If they do not gain the weight required, they may not survive winter, and the Sows may not embed their fertilized eggs in mid-November. Cubs are born in January weighing less than 1 pound. The Sows can lose up to 40% of their body weight nursing cubs.
• They can smell food 20 miles away and their sense of smell is 2,000 times better than humans.
• Their eyesight is good, as is their hearing.
• Do not crowd or chase bears along the river for photo ops.
• If you are too close, they will show their stress through their body language. Swinging their heads from side to side and looking for an escape route; ears back; yawning; jaw popping or grunting; slapping the ground or even bluff charging.
• If you encounter a bear, do not turn and run as this will trigger a predatory prey instinct in them. Rather talk calmly to them, letting them know that you are there, and back away slowly.

Thank you for keeping our bears safe and wild.

We have a lot of wildlife, especially the fawns, who are being overly adventurous and they are definitely not road smart. Please be mindful and if you have wildlife crossing regularly in certain areas, please let us know and we will try and put up a sign.

This also goes for Bears in Area signage - if you have a bear that is visiting your neighbour regularly due to attractants, please let us know and we will post a sign and chat with the neighbours.

Not only do we have "Bear in Area" signs, but we also have "Wildlife Crossing" signs. And as you can see, the deer are very happy that they are posted, and they hope everyone slows down for them.

Thanks Rachel SharpeWoods for putting up these signs.

Are you interested in helping our community protect our wildlife; be a neighbour ambassador; attend educational events? If so, Wild Wise Campbell River is looking for additional Volunteers.

What is Wild Wise? Wild Wise is a volunteer-driven, community-based educational initiative committed to reducing human-wildlife conflict and fostering peaceful coexistence through awareness and education.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please send us an email: [email protected]

An important message regarding practicing ethical wildlife photography.

Ethical wildlife photography means that the welfare of the animal always comes before the photograph.

As wildlife activity increases throughout the summer season, it's worth remembering that our presence can influence animal behaviour in ways that aren't always obvious. If an animal changes what it's doing because of you, stops feeding, becomes alert, moves away, or approaches out of curiosity, it's a sign that more space may be needed.

Pay attention to body language. Repeated glances in your direction, changes in posture, vocalizations, pacing, or other signs of agitation can indicate stress. Respect those signals and allow the animal to continue its natural behaviour without interference.

Never encourage wildlife to come closer, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Feeding, calling, or positioning yourself too close can alter natural behaviours, create long-term problems for the animal, and may be unlawful.

If an animal chooses to move away, let it. Following wildlife for a better angle or a closer photograph can increase stress and disrupt important activities such as feeding, resting, hunting, or caring for young.

Many species spend much of their day simply trying to meet their basic needs. Every unnecessary disturbance costs valuable energy and may force them to abandon feeding opportunities or move into less suitable habitat.

The most rewarding wildlife images are often the ones captured with patience, respect, and distance. Every photographer hopes for that once-in-a-lifetime encounter, but no photograph is worth compromising an animal's comfort, safety, or ability to thrive in the wild.

It is that time of year when we have lots of visitors to the island as well as locals who are out and about - please read the following to know what to do if you encounter a Wolf or any other apex predator. Also, when posting to social media, please do not disclose where you are seeing and/or photographing your subjects. This protects wildlife from poachers, hunters and from being overburdened by people just wanting to see them, especially nesting birds, elk, bears, cougars or wolves. Thank you.

Following some recent wolf sightings on southern Vancouver Island we want to remind the public that wolves are intelligent, adaptable predators. They cannot, and should not be expected to, distinguish between what humans consider "natural" and "non-natural" food sources. To a wolf, an off-leash dog running ahead on a trail, an unsecured goat or chickens, or accessible food attractants can all represent potential opportunities. Managing those risks and mitigating conflicts is our human responsibility.

Keep dogs leashed at all times outdoors. Off-leash dogs are one of the leading contributors to wolf conflicts and can trigger both defensive or predatory responses depending on the context.

Additional coexistence practices:
• Keep cats indoors
• Secure livestock, garbage, pet food, and other attractants (wolves are scavengers)
• Stay alert and use well-travelled trails whenever possible
• Never approach, follow, or attempt to feed wolves

If you encounter a wolf:
• Remain calm and stand your ground
• Make yourself appear large and make noise
• Keep pets close, or pick them up if it is safe to do so
• Slowly back away and leave the area
• Do not run
• Always give wildlife space, at least 100 metres

Wolves are not typically seeking conflict with people. In most cases, they actively avoid humans. However, when attractants are available, the likelihood of negative encounters increases.

Coexistence is not reactive, it is proactive.

We will not be disclosing specific locations of wolf sightings. Wildlife is constantly moving across the landscape, and very seldom is the same animal encountered in the same location after a sighting is shared on social media. Focusing vigilance on a single reported area can create a false sense of security elsewhere. We encourage everyone to assume that wildlife may be present whenever they are outdoors. Responsible pet management, attractant reduction, and situational awareness should be practiced at all times, not exclusively after a sighting is reported.

Anyone local looking for their next new wildlife read?
Stop by the offices of Eagle Eye Adventures to purchase your copy!

How exciting is this? My very first hard copies have arrived!

After months of writing, editing, and countless revisions, it’s incredible to finally hold my book in my hands.

I decided to publish it myself because finding a traditional publisher can be a real challenge. It was a lot of work, but seeing the finished book makes every hour worthwhile.

I can’t wait to share it with everyone!