One Metchosin sheep farm has lost roughly a dozen animals this summer but thatB次元官网网址檚 not unusual. WhatB次元官网网址檚 unusual is the bear believed to be behind the killings doesnB次元官网网址檛 return to the same kill twice.
John Buchanan, owner of Parry Bay Sheep Farm, estimates theyB次元官网网址檝e lost at least a dozen sheep in the past several weeks, but likely that number is closer to 15 due to what is believed to be one bear.
B次元官网网址淭here could be more [dead], we just havenB次元官网网址檛 got them all home yet,B次元官网网址� Buchanan noted. With roughly 300 ewes and 600 lambs, the animals are grazing on several different pastures, some outside of Metchosin.
Last load for today. 81 ewes at the field so far. We still need to bring 20 more ewes and 140 lambs to the field for next weekend's sheepdog trial. They'll enjoy snacking on the Queen Anne's lace in the field.
Posted by on Sunday, July 30, 2017
B次元官网网址淲e average about 25 a year [lost] to cougars or bears or both,B次元官网网址� he said, estimating theyB次元官网网址檝e lost one animal to a cougar this year.
Over the past 20 years Buchanan noted they have had to worry more about cougars, who tend to kill more animals at once, than bears, which tend to kill one animal at a time. B次元官网网址淲e never had bear trouble before the past five years,B次元官网网址� he added.
That may be because more dogs used to scare away these larger predators. B次元官网网址淚t used to be acceptable to have your pet dog out at night,B次元官网网址� he said. Now, many people have their animals locked up at night.
While this means they havenB次元官网网址檛 lost as many animals in the past two decades to dog attacks, he noted it could be a contributing factor to the increase in bear attacks.
B次元官网网址淭he thing about this one is he doesnB次元官网网址檛 come back to the kill,B次元官网网址� Buchanan said. Typically, he added, bears usually return to get a second meal. B次元官网网址淯nless we catch him, itB次元官网网址檚 just going to carry on and on.B次元官网网址�
Buchanan noted conservation officers believe it is the same bear based on its behaviour and physical descriptions from those in the area who have seen it.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service did not respond to interview requests in time for the 骋补锄别迟迟别B次元官网网址檚 press deadline.
Buchanan noted conservation officers have been monitoring the bear and attempting to capture it. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want them to shoot bears indeterminately but this one needs to be dealt with,B次元官网网址� he said.
But itB次元官网网址檚 not just bears, cougars and dogs the farmer has to watch out for. Like most farmers in the region, heB次元官网网址檚 also battling with geese and has lost an entire barley field.
B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 seed very well so there was openings in it,B次元官网网址� Buchanan said, adding the geese donB次元官网网址檛 like landing in a full field because they canB次元官网网址檛 see predators.
Despite string and other deterrents, he estimated more than 100 geese were in the field earlier this week. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檒l have eaten it before itB次元官网网址檚 ripe,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥nce they find it, they donB次元官网网址檛 leave.B次元官网网址�
Like many farmers in the region, heB次元官网网址檚 tried everything from noise makers to reflective tape to fencing but to no avail. B次元官网网址淚f we chase them off theyB次元官网网址檒l just land on someone elseB次元官网网址檚 field,B次元官网网址� he added.
Since the crop didnB次元官网网址檛 seed as well as it should have, and other factors still lingering from the cold spring, Buchanan predicted they would have received about $3,000 for the field. But since theyB次元官网网址檝e had so much trouble with the geese, heB次元官网网址檒l let the sheep graze on the field and recoup some of his losses that way.
B次元官网网址淚f it had been a really good crop, it would have been hard,B次元官网网址� he added.
