By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Nov. 22, 2018
Squamish citizens saw and reported fewer bears and cougars in 2017 compared to 2016.
There was, however, an increase in coyotes and wolf sightings in Squamish in 2017 compared to previous year.
The numbers come from the District of Squamish wildlife report, which is based on phone calls made to RAPP line.
Squamishers reported 22 coyotes to the RAPP line in 2017, and 17 in 2016.
Nine wolf sightings were reported in 2017, and four in 2016.
And even though media coverage makes cougar sightings the talk of town, there were fewer calls to the RAPP line last year compared to 2016.
In 2017, there were 13 calls about cougars in Squamish.
In comparison, as many as 44 such calls were made to the RAPP line in 2016 to report cougar activity in Squamish.
It’s the same downward trend in bear activity: 472 calls were made in 2017. In 2016, the number was 560.
Squamish’s WildSafe BC community coordinator, Meg Toom, says the sightings typically increase when an alert is issued.
One cougar can generate numerous calls in the community, she added.
Toom said wildlife activity is based on food availability and it is difficult to predict what kind of wildlife activity the community will see from year to year.
“This is why it’s important that we are prepared and well versed on how to avoid human-wildlife conflicts no matter what type of wildlife activity year we are experiencing. Ensuring our properties are free from wildlife attractants and keeping pets indoors will go a long way to reducing cougar-human conflicts,” she said.
In 2017, eight wildlife alerts were issued to the community.