The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve issued a wolf advisory on Monday, three days before the area is expected to reopen to the public on June 4.
“Over the past few weeks several incidents have occurred within the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and in the communities immediately adjacent, involving daytime wolf encounters where the wolves have displayed non-wary behavior, and situations involving aggressive encounters between wolves and dogs,” the advisory states.
“Wolves may be encountered anywhere in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, however if these animals become accustomed to people, they are in danger of losing their wild behaviours.”
The advisory adds that wolves are common in the area and the keystone species is vital to the West Coast’s ecosystem, but visitors to the Park Reserve must do their part to help keep the animals safe and wary of humans.
Visitors to the Park Reserve are asked to never hike alone, keep children closeby, keep their pets leashed and to never leave garbage or food unattended.
Anyone who encounters a wolf should not run but, instead, back away slowly maintaining eye contact with the animal while waving their arms and making as much noise as possible. The advisory also suggests throwing rocks or sticks at the animal to try to scare it away.
The advisory asks anyone who spots a wolf to report their sighting to the Park Reserve at
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
READ MORE: Wolf fights dog in Tofino, prompting warning from WildSafeBC coordinator
READ MORE: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve plans limited reopening on June 4
READ MORE: Wolf killed in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve between Tofino and Ucluelet