A wolf is believed to be the cause of a dogB次元官网网址檚 disappearance in Tofino last week.
WildSafeBC Pacific Rim issued a warning on May 29 suggesting an unknown predator had taken a dog from a backyard bordering a forested area in Tofino.
B次元官网网址淭he predator involved wasnB次元官网网址檛 seen. There were sounds of a brief struggle in the forest.There was a wolf that showed interest in a dog and was hazed away about three hours earlier,B次元官网网址� the statement reads. B次元官网网址淭his is a dramatic reminder that dogs are inevitably at risk at times in wildlife country.B次元官网网址�
WildSafeBC Pacific Rim coordinator Bob Hansen told the Westerly B次元官网网址 that B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 quite likely,B次元官网网址� a wolf took the dog.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a very high possibility that it was a wolf, but we just donB次元官网网址檛 know. Something took that dog,B次元官网网址� he said, adding itB次元官网网址檚 a tragic reminder for West Coast residents to be wary of surrounding wildlife.
Wolf attacks are rare, but they do occur in the local area with recent incidents including a wolf attacking a dog in Hitacu in 2019 where the dog survived. Two wolves were killed after attacking dogs on the West Coast in 2017, one by the Conservation Officer Service in Ucluelet and one by Pacific Rim National Park Reserve staff near Florencia Bay.
The since 2008.
B次元官网网址淲olves are known to react to dogs often as canines that are in their territory, so a territorial response, or just simply as food; prey that they can opportunistically take advantage of,B次元官网网址� he said.
The warning urges all West Coasters to keep their dogs on a leash when out and about and carry bear spray in wildlife areas and adds that owners should watch their dogsB次元官网网址� behaviour and take note if theyB次元官网网址檙e acting strangely.
B次元官网网址淚t may have detected a fresh wildlife sign that you havenB次元官网网址檛,B次元官网网址� the warning reads. B次元官网网址淭hat could give you the opportunity to alert wildlife to your presence, or leave the area to avoid a close surprise encounter.B次元官网网址�
It adds that off-leash dogs encountering wolves comes with B次元官网网址渧olatile and unpredictableB次元官网网址� results.
B次元官网网址淭he dog may chase the animal away but everything can change in an instant resulting in the animal chasing the dog right back to you,B次元官网网址� it reads.
Pet food should never be left outdoors as it can attract wolves into residential areas and all dogs should be kept indoors at night, or brought inside if it is barking or acting strangely during the day, according to the warning.
It adds that predators have a natural wariness of humans and anyone who sees a predator, like a wolf, in a residential area should do their best to scare or haze the animal away by making noise, stomping or throwing objects in their direction.
B次元官网网址淚f wolves and cougars get comfortable being close to people and in amongst human activity the risk increases particularly for pets and livestock,B次元官网网址� it reads. B次元官网网址淚t also puts the wildlife at riskB次元官网网址f predators end up in conflict with people and dogs it can lead to their demise.B次元官网网址�
It also notes that wolves have wide ranges and can travel across the peninsula from Tofino to Ucluelet during the day.
B次元官网网址淓very encounter with people and dogs throughout their large territory influences how they will behave in those encounters,B次元官网网址� it reads. B次元官网网址淚f every encounter reinforces their natural wariness they will behave in a wary mannerB次元官网网址hey will avoid encounters.B次元官网网址�
Hansen urges anyone who spots a predator, like a wolf, in a residential area to report their sighting to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1(877) 952-7277.
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