Interested in learning about effective and responsible ways to reduce negative
interactions with bears on your property? The Coexisting with Carnivores Alliance is
seeking to help!
In the Capital Regional District, especially in Metchosin, Sooke and Highlands there has
been a significant increase of impact on farmers from bears. Increased loss of sheep
and goats due to depredation, loss of bee hives and fruit and damage to fruit trees have
all greatly impacted our local farmers. Over the past 5 years, 54 bears have been killed
due to conflict in this Region. Farmers have expressed interest in finding low-cost
solutions to these problems that will also minimize the killing of bears in the area.
Coexisting with Carnivores Alliance is hoping to respond to this issue by building
awareness, and confidence in new tools and techniques that could help.
The Coexisting with Carnivores Alliance (CwCA) is a non-profit organization that
promotes coexistence between people, bears, cougars and wolves on southern
Vancouver Island, British Columbia. They support communities in reducing human-
carnivore conflicts by helping them to find solutions and build capacity to share the
landscape with carnivores and by promoting tolerance and appreciation of bears,
cougars and wolves.
To provide information to local farmers impacted by bears, the Society has organized a
workshop about the utilization of electric fencing, and noise and light deterrents to
bears, led by Jeff Marley of Margo Supplies Ltd. (margosupplies.com). Mr. Marley leads
hundreds of workshops throughout North America and has over 30 years of experience
and expertise in bear deterrents. This one-day event will build understanding of
available tools appropriate for each farming situation to avoid future negative
interaction with bears, while protecting these important wildlife.
Chair of CwCA, Nitya Harris has organized this community event, with big hopes for the
long term, “We hope to foster a shift from conflict to coexistence, to help farmers
protect their farm and produce with minimal harm to bears.”
The Event is on September 15th, starting from 10am to 1pm at the Metchosin
Community House (4430 Happy Valley Road, Metchosin). Light snacks and
refreshments provided. The Workshop is FREE but space is limited so register today!
To participate in the workshop on Bear Deterrents and for more details,please register
on the website, www.coexcarnivores.org
Sponsored by the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP), B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
and the Coexisting with Carnivores Alliance.