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On June 1st, the very first billboard for our #CariboutWolves project went LIVE in Kelowna thanks to a $1000 match campaign started by a passionate Okanagan resident, Fiona C. who reached out to us earlier this year asking how she could help raise awareness on the British Columbia (B.C.) wolf cull issue in her region. The billboard directs people to our new cariboutwolves webpage where we outline the link between caribou and wolves. Here, readers can find a compilation of studies and reports that support a different approach to caribou protection from the one the Province is currently taking. ⁠
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Since 2015, the B.C. government’s predator reduction program has killed thousands of wolves in the name of supporting the recovery of endangered caribou herds, at great expense to taxpayers. However, even the Province acknowledges that habitat is the most dire issue for caribou. Despite this, six to seven years after the release of the federal recovery strategies and management plans for caribou ecotypes, loss of caribou habitat in British Columbia and Alberta had increased by 262% on average across ecotypes.⁠
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We believe caring about wolves IS caring about caribou. The ongoing destruction of critical caribou habitat is causing their decline and we don’t need to kill wolves to save caribou. Killing wolves is an expensive and inappropriate use of taxpayers’ money, and there are other scientifically-based methods of protecting caribou. The B.C. government’s priority actions to protect caribou should be to protect old-growth and restore habitat. ⁠
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Take a picture and tag us if you see the billboard!⁠
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Click the link in our bio visit our new cariboutwolves page and learn more.⁠
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#okanagan #kelownabc #SaveBCWolves #Cariboutwolves #WolfKillProgram #WildlifeManagement #woodlandcaribou #endangeredspecies #OldGrowth #saveoldgrowth

Today we are kicking off #OceansWeekCanada, a seven day awareness-raising and education campaign spotlighting species and habits. From June 2nd - June 11th join the annual celebration of ocean events, engagement and learning! The theme this year is "Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing", aiming to create a fresh surge of enthusiasm for preserving and safeguarding the ocean. This year our team is involved in multiple events in the Victoria area sharing our love for the wonders of the ocean with the public. ⁠
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• June 2-9, 2023: Turn on your radios and listen on Ocean 98.5 on June 2 and between June 5-9 for Ocean Week Victoria Trivia for your chance to win prizes! @ocean985⁠
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• Saturday, June 3, 12-3 PM: Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society and Pacific Wild are teaming up to present the Build-A-Whale program at Royal Roads University. This is a hands-on education event where you can help reconstruct a real offshore killer whale skeleton! @simrs_tofino @royalroadsu ⁠
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• Monday, June 5, 9-11:30 AM: Join the naturalists from Prince of Whales and Pacific Wild’s Marine Specialist to learn about whales, seals and the Salish Sea aboard the Salish Sea Eclipse, docked in the Inner Harbour. @princeofwhaleswhalewatching⁠
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• Thursday, June 8, 6:30-9PM: Join Pacific Wild and Ocean Network Canada for a special Oceans Day Trivia Night at the Bard and Banker. Space is limited and first come, first served. Lots of amazing prizes to be won! @ocean_networks @bardandbanker⁠
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• Sunday, June 11, 11AM-4PM: Head down to Fisherman's Wharf for the official Ocean Week Victoria Festival for family fun education! ⁠
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Click the link in our bio to learn more about the Ocean’s Week Victoria event calendar! @oceanweekvictoria⁠
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Image by @iantmcallister

It’s British Columbia (B.C.) Wild Salmon Day! Salmon are the lifeblood of the B.C. coast, connecting the oceans to our forests, transferring essential nutrients between land to sea. On this day, we reflect on the importance of wild salmon conservation and on the threats that still face this iconic species on our coast. Open-net fish farms create a breeding ground for sea lice, parasites, bacteria and viruses, which can be deadly to wild salmon who are migrating past. With the pressures of commercial fishing and climate change causing warming temperatures, drought and flooding, the salmon are returning to spawn in lower numbers.

Salmon are an important source of nutrients for birds, bears and wolves in coastal watersheds. The population density of bears can be up to 20 times greater in areas where salmon are abundant, versus areas where they do not occur. Additionally, salmon are an important prey item for many marine species. Chinook salmon are the primary prey for the critically endangered southern resident killer whales. Salmon connect it all, from land to sea. Visit https://psf.ca/bc-wild-salmon-day/ (@pacificsalmonfoundation) to learn more about
#BCWildSalmonDay

#PeopleforSalmon #WildSalmon #PacificSalmon

Footage by @iantmcallister

Today is World Otter Day. Otters belong to the Mustelidae family, containing a diverse range of carnivorous mammals, including weasels, badgers, otters, martens, and wolverines. Sea otters are members of the subfamily Lutrinae, a group of semiaquatic or marine mammals known for their sleek bodies, short limbs and webbed feet.

Sea otters were extirpated (locally extinct) in British Columbia (B.C.) as a result of the commercial fur trade between 1929/30 until 1969 when they were reintroduced. The return of the sea otter is a success story! Their status re-examined and designated Special Concern in April 2007. In 2017 their population was estimated at 8,110 individuals. In the absence of hunting, habitat loss, oil spills,and climate change are some of the threats to the recovery of sea otter populations today.

World Otter Day is more than just a celebration of otters; it’s a reminder of our responsibility to protect and conserve our environment and the creatures that inhabit it. As keystone species, otters play an essential role in maintaining the health and balance of nearshore ecosystems like kelp forests and eelgrass beds. By protecting otters, we indirectly protect entire ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of our marine waterways.

Canada has committed to protecting 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030, which supports the ecosystems sea otters live in. You can donate towards our MPA campaign, but clicking the link in our bio.

Footage by @iantmcallister and Christian Weiser @chris_wsr

#worldotterday #marineprotection #seaotter

Last week, we wrapped up our 4th annual Wild Auction fundraiser which saw over 70+ artists and businesses donate. Thank you to all who contributed and those who bid on the variety of art, photography, outdoor gear, tours and more.

Our team opened our doors for a fantastic evening of art, music and philanthropy in Victoria. Highlights included a drum making workshop lead by Karen Whetung, live-painting by Carole Finn, soothing melodies by cellist Issac Woollends, a sneak peek at our upcoming documentary “Return of the Great Bear” and local-foraged craft mocktails featuring flavours courtesy of The Shrubbery Co.(@the.shrubbery.co)

The money raised will help fund our conservation campaigns to advocate for the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity on the Pacific coast.

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers, Katie Bentley from UVIC, Kevin Solski, Ronel Holm, and our fearless cat herder, Anastasia Hangemanole.

A project led by Nak'azdli Whut'en First Nation will utilize GPS collars to track wolves within the range of the Wolverine caribou herd. Studies by Jonah Keim, et al, showed that as little as 40-60% functional habitat restoration–measures that reduce the number of wolves on human-created features like forestry roads, seismic lines and snowmobile trails–effectively decreased interactions between wolves and caribou by 85%,without the need for 'predator removal'. Simply put, protecting caribou can be done by making it more difficult for wolves to use industry roads and clearings to access caribou habitat.⁠
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More action is urgently required to protect struggling caribou herds. Despite species-at-risk status dating back to at least 2003, and reams of scientific data, the B.C. government has let decades of large-scale habitat destruction and fragmentation occur, while herds continue to be extirpated at a rapid pace.⁠
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Those working on caribou recovery are continually stymied by inaction or interference from other arms of government, while British Columbians watch with dismay as herds dwindle and the lives of predators are taken on the altar of multinational profit-building 'economic activity'.⁠
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Learn more about this issue at pacificwild.org/caribou-wolves⁠
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Image by Jonah Keim ⁠
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#CariboutWolves #SaveBCWolves #ProtectCaribou

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