Fines could be coming from bylaw officers to those who feed wildlife in Vancouver's parks
In the wake of Vancouver's largest park needing to be closed overnight while officials tried to cease a string of coyote attacks, the city's park board is proposing new bylaws and possible fines meant to stop people from feeding wildlife.
Prompted by a recommendation from the general manager of the Vancouver Park Board, commissioners will discuss on Monday possible changes to bylaws regarding feeding wildlife in parks. If passed, the changes could also permit bylaw officers to ticket people up to $500.
"Human feeding of wildlife interferes with normal foraging, hunting and population numbers. It is physically unhealthy for animals, and encourages food-conditioning that can lead to aggressive behaviour," the recommendation to the park board says.
"While the B.C. Wildlife Act includes provisions against feeding 'dangerous wildlife,' provincial enforcement resources are stretched, and the restrictions do not extend to other urban wildlife."
Access to Stanley Park was limited for weeks following a series of coyote attacks on adults and children. Some trails were blocked, and the park was closed at night.
This week also marked the end of a province-led coyote cull in the park. At one point, representatives from the Ministry of Forests said it was possible as many as 35 coyotes would be trapped and euthanized by contractors. In the end, just four coyotes were trapped and killed as part of the two-week cull. Seven others were killed before the cull began.
Not long after the park reopened fully, two people were allegedly caught feeding coyotes. The individuals, only identified as residents of the province's Lower Mainland, were arrested by provincial conservation officers and their vehicle was seized.
Right now, the local park board's bylaws regarding feeding wildlife are nearly non-existent. The current rules say people can't "deposit food or grain on any area in a park except in litter cans provided by the board for the purpose of receiving garbage and litter." Where garbage cans aren't provided, park guests must take litter with them.
Instead, the general manager recommends adding a section that specifically targets feeding wildlife, similar to what's in the province's Wildlife Act. One difference in the proposal, however, is to remove "dangerous" from the description, and broaden the rules to all wildlife.
"This new bylaw would apply to all wildlife because feeding even small animals increases the amount of prey available for dangerous wildlife, which have greater potential risk to humans," the recommendation says. "Additionally, feeding wildlife is physically harmful for all animals."
The board says some of the other species in Vancouver parks that are known to he fed by humans – whether directly or indirectly – include geese, ducks, pigeons, squirrels and raccoons.
In full, the proposed changes to the Vancouver bylaw would include adding the following section:
"A person must not:
(a) feed or attempt to feed wildlife in any park;
(b) provide, leave or place an attractant in any park in a manner that attracts or could attract wildlife."
If added, the general manager also recommends attaching a fine for those who break the bylaw. Right now, only the park board's smoking bylaws can be enforced with a ticket. The general manager recommends a fine of $500 per offence.
"Once enacted, it will be more clear that feeding any wildlife, either directly or indirectly, is prohibited in Vancouver parks and anyone contravening these bylaws may be fined," the recommendation says.
"This will assist with deterring this harmful behaviour and support the park board’s ongoing efforts to increase the amount and ecological quality of Vancouver’s natural areas to support biodiversity, enhance access to nature, and foster a healthy co-existence with urban wildlife."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kendra Mangione
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.