Wildlife Safety on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is home to thousands of black bears, a small but growing number of grizzlies, and healthy populations of cougars and coastal wolves. Encounters are rare — attacks are even rarer — but knowing what to do keeps you and the animals safe.

Black Bears (Common across the whole island)

• How to Avoid an Encounter

• Make noise on trails (talk, clap, sing badly — bears don’t care).

• Never leave food, garbage, or coolers out.

• Keep dogs leashed.

• Store food in your vehicle or hang it 12 ft up, 6 ft out.

If You Encounter a Black Bear

• Stay calm.

• Don’t run — they’re faster than your truck on a forest road.

• Speak calmly: “Hey, bear, I see you.”

• Wave your arms to appear larger.

• Back away slowly, giving the bear space.

If a Black Bear Approaches You

• Stand your ground.

• Make noise, shout, and look big.

• Throw rocks/sticks near it (NOT at its head).

• Use bear spray if it gets within 20–30 ft.

If a Black Bear Makes Contact

Fight back with everything you’ve got.

(black bears that attack are usually predatory—very rare but serious

Grizzly Bears (Occasional sightings North of Campbell River, Sayward, Woss, Gold River, Zeballos, and the West Coast)

Grizzlies behave differently — DO NOT treat them like black bears.

How to Avoid an Encounter

• Make noise when walking in thick brush.

• Travel in groups when possible.

• Keep a clean camp — food storage is critical.
  

If You Encounter a Grizzly

• Stay calm and DO NOT run.

• Speak softly and avoid eye contact.

• Slowly back away.

• Don’t raise your arms or act aggressively.

• Give them a VERY wide berth.

If a Grizzly Approaches You

• Stand your ground.

• Prepare your bear spray — remove the safety.

• If it charges within 20–30 ft, deploy spray.

• Remember: many grizzly “charges” are bluff charges.

If a Grizzly Makes Contact

PLAY DEAD!

• Lie on your stomach, legs wide, hands behind your neck.

• Wait until the bear leaves the area completely.

• If the attack turns predatory (extremely rare): fight back.

Cougars (Vancouver Island has one of the highest densities in the world)

Cougars are stealthy — if you see one, it already saw you first.

How to Avoid an Encounter

• Keep children & small dogs close.

• Never hike or trail run alone at dawn/dusk.

• Keep pets on leash.

If You Encounter a Cougar

• DO NOT run — triggers pursuit.

• Make yourself HUGE: raise arms, open jacket, stand tall.

• Maintain eye contact.

• Speak loudly and firmly.

• Slowly back away while facing the cougar.

If a Cougar Approaches or Shows Interest

• Shout.

• Throw rocks and sticks DIRECTLY at it.

• Use bear spray if close.

• Be aggressive — cougars respect strength.
  

If a Cougar Attacks

• Fight back immediately and violently.

• Aim for the eyes, nose, and face.

• Use sticks, rocks, knives — anything.

Wolves (North Island coastal wolves — shy and rarely aggressive)

Wolves usually avoid humans and are more curious than dangerous.

How to Avoid an Encounter

• Do not feed them.

• Secure food and garbage.

• Keep dogs on leash — wolves will defend territory from off-leash dogs.
  

If You Encounter a Wolf

• Stand tall and make yourself look big.

• Keep eye contact but don’t stare aggressively.

• Talk loudly.

• Pick up small children or pets.

• Slowly back away.

If a Wolf Approaches

• Yell, wave your arms, throw rocks near it.

• Use bear spray if needed.

• Group together if you’re with others.

If a Wolf Attacks (extremely rare)

Fight back aggressively!