B.C.'s extreme cold having detrimental impacts on birds, wildlife experts say
British Columbia's recent cold snap poses significant issues for wildlife across the province, experts warn, noting freezing temperatures deplete reliable food sources for a variety of animals.
The Wildlife Rescue Association says the weather is having a particularly detrimental impact on birds.
“Extreme winter conditions create a survival crisis for animals who are facing frostbite, dehydration and damage from getting stuck to frozen metal feeders and objects,” the organization said in a release. “Without proper care and nutrition, freezing temperatures can lead to starvation and death of many local wildlife.”
The association said 53 hummingbirds from the Lower Mainland were brought into its care during the last week of December when the temperature first plummeted, a drastic increase in comparison to the four birds it treated during the same time period a year earlier.
Jackie McQuillan, the association's outpatient care lead, believes the figure likely represents a “small fraction” of the number of birds affected.
“These really dramatic weather changes that we're seeing have considerable impacts on wildlife, and it's difficult for us to be able to anticipate how that will change populations, but we know that it's having an effect,” she said, while urging people to contact the group if they find an animal in distress.
The Ministry of Lands and Forests said most species have adapted to survive short spells of unseasonably cold weather, but is encouraging residents to do their best to leave wildlife undisturbed.
“Weather often impacts individual wildlife as well as populations and weather patterns are often one of the biggest predictors of wildlife population trends,” the ministry said in an email. “It is normal for some animals to succumb during the winter months. This is a natural process and can balance with available habitat and populations will recover as the habitat recovers.”
Ann Nightingale, a volunteer and board member for the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory based in Victoria, agreed that it is natural for some birds to die during winter in the province. But longer-term issues, she argued, may arise during prolonged periods of freezing temperatures.
“The more extreme cold events you have and the closer they are together, the greater the potential impact on the whole population,” she said. “We're seeing range changes in certain species and I think we could expect that to continue due to climate change. There are birds that barely survive in our climate now that won't be able to survive in our climate if it keeps changing.”
Nightingale said this is true for extreme events in both winter and summer months, noting last year's severe flooding and heat dome also affected B.C.'s ecosystem.
She said extreme events like wildfires can also disrupt avian migratory patterns by depleting food supplies along birds' paths and could result in lasting changes to Canada's ecosystem.
“Climate is related to food in a big way,” Nightingale said, citing that insect populations have diminished in the province as a result of such events. “Insect have a real impact up the food chain to birds, which are simply not able to survive because they're not getting enough food.”
As unpredictable weather continues, wildlife experts have begun encouraging people to start taking steps to help animals survive extreme events. Suggestions include making sure feeders don't freeze during the winter and fresh, unfrozen water remains available for birds that have become dependent on feeders.
Nightingale also suggests people stop using pesticides, choose something other than translucent glass panes in their homes as birds often unknowingly fly into them, and limit free-roaming cats that may threaten the population.
“I think we have to focus on being a part of nature, and not fighting it at every step,” said Nightingale.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2022.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.