B.C.’s Conservation Officers answer a diverse range of needs, ranging from tracking down wiley coyotes that are stirring up trouble in urban areas to spotting invasive mussels and penalizing poachers in the backcountry.
Given the sheer number of interface areas across this province, it’s no wonder that they’re constantly being called into action on serious matters. According to a recent social media post highlighting the less serious side of their work, however, some of the unusual calls of 2021 have involved people expressing some less pressing concerns traditionally saved for the poachers and polluters hotline.
On a Top 10 list posted to their social media, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service lays out their most unusual calls from 2021.
Deer with a Lopsided Ear
Caller states she saw a deer with a lopsided ear walking across the street.
Cougar with a Pink Collar
Caller isn’t sure, but there may have been a cougar in her backyard two days ago drinking water from her pond. She mentioned it had a pink collar at the end of the call.
Read more:
Coyote attacks force early closure of Stanley Park
Cat Fight
Caller advises that her two indoor cats were screaming and freaking out last night. The caller woke up to something jumping against the bedroom window. The caller thinks it was a large cat.
Rustling in the Bushes
Caller advises that he was walking home and heard rustling in the bushes. He is not sure what it was but says it was not a cat, dog, raccoon or snake.
Read more:
Bear cub found in stolen-property bust in northeastern B.C.
Spooky Siesta
Caller reports seeing a light brown and white animal in his backyard sleeping. The caller is very concerned why this animal chose his backyard to rest in (no address or further animal description was given).
Bear Compensation
Caller is frustrated that a bear repeatedly keeps damaging her shed to get to the garbage stored inside. She is wondering how she can get compensated for the damage.
Smoky Situation
Roommate was burning charcoal and cardboard in a portable barbecue directly under the caller’s open bedroom window, which filled with smoke. The caller has health issues and roommate knows this. Caller would like someone to tell his roommate not to burn so close to the house.
Read more:
New detection dog joins B.C.’s search for invasive mussels
Bird Feeders
Caller reports a black bear that came to his property and got into a bird feeder in his yard, even knocking over a fence and post to access it. The caller stated he then moved the bird feeder onto the porch.
Otter Orthodontics
Caller states an otter is sitting on a log and appears to be irritated with its mouth.
Porcupine Nests
Caller advises he has two nests on his property from an unknown species. He thinks they could be porcupines but not entirely sure.