Find Tofino 
Bears
and Cougars of Tofino, BC
About Bears | Bear Encounters | About Cougars | Cougar Encounters
Bear and Cougar Safety
Black bears and cougars are common in the wilderness of Tofino and Vancouver
Island. Remembering that we are in their home and respecting their right to it
is the first step in bear and cougar safety.
 Tofino
Black Bear Never approach a bear. |
About Black Bears * Weigh up to 600 pounds * Short Claws (still very big) * Like open spaces in forests 1. Watch for bear signs 2. Never approach a cub 3. Be careful near berry patches 4. Be careful at banks of streams 5. Never approach fresh kill 6. Carry a noisemaker 7. Travel with others 8. Leave your pet at home or close by your side 9. Keep food in a bear-proof cache 10. Be careful in high winds 11. Use unscented body products |
| Here are
some tips from the BC Ministry of the Environment Every bear encounter is unique. There are no steadfast rules which can be applied to every situation. |
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 When
on a trail, watch for signs of bears - droppings, fresh tracks, strong scent. |
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| Be
careful near berry patches or the banks of streams and rivers. |
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| Never
approach a fresh kill. |
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| Carry
a noisemaker, such as a bell, or a tin can filled with a few pebbles. Attach
it to your walking stick or pack. The human voice is one of the most unfamiliar
sounds in the wilderness, so talking or singing can be effective. Be extra careful
in thick bush. |
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| Never
travel alone through wilderness country. Do not let children straggle far behind
or rush ahead. |
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| Leave
your pet at home. The excited barking of a dog can enrage a bear. The dog may
retreat to its master - and draw the bear's attack to you. Cougars also find
pet dogs easy prey. |
|
| Store
food in the trunk of your vehicle, or make a bear-proof cache by suspending the
food in a plastic bag at least 10 feet off the ground between two trees. |
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| Avoid
cooking foods that give off a strong odour, such as canned fish. Burn out tin
cans and scraps after a meal, or use dried foods. It is best not to wipe your
hands on clothes while cooking, and to avoid cooking near your tent. |
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| In
a campground, use garbage disposal facilities. In the back country, hikers are
required to pack out all garbage. Do not bury garbage. Bears can easily smell
it out and dig it up. |
|
| Do
not pitch your camp where you find fresh tracks or droppings or along a trail
clearly used by animals. |
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| Be
particularly careful in high winds, when an animal may not be able to pick up
your scent soon enough to avoid you. |
|
| Female
bears with cubs are especially dangerous. Never approach a cub, even if it seems
to be alone, and never get between a cub and its mother. |
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| Evidence
indicates that bears are likely to be more aggressive toward those wearing scented
cosmetics, hair spray, or deodorant. |
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A fed bear is a dead bear. Most people are not aware of their role in the destruction of bears. If humans allow bears to access non-natural food sources such as garbage, they help to create "problem" bears. In most cases, "problem" bears are destroyed. Canadian Wildlife Service: Hinterland Who's Who Extensive information about black bears. |
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| Bear Encounters | |
If you meet a bear, it will most likely run away. But bears can be unpredictable. Learn to recognize the signs of a bear attack and above all:
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| The
signs of attack are growling, with ears laid back. A bear rearing up on its hind
legs is probably taking a more careful sniff to make certain of who you are. |
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| Running
or waving of the arms will only provoke a bear. |
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| If
the bear is close, back away slowly, talking as calmly as possible, towards a
tree or behind rocks or into a gully. Do not do anything suddenly. |
|
| If
a bear should cross your trail. Stop and wait
another bear may be behind it and coming after it. You don't want to get between
bears, especially Mom and cubs. |
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| Should
a charge be unavoidable, protect your stomach, thighs and neck by lying down
on the ground in a hunched position with knees drawn up to the chest and hands
clasped over your neck. The bear may try to maul you but it will do less damage if you can manage to lie still. Usually the bear will retreat immediately after the attack. |
|
 (And no, this is not a picture of that
bear. This bear above was photographed just outside Tofino.) |
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Safety
Guide to Bears in the Wild Bear Photos |
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| About Cougars | |
Cougars are rarely seen and attacks on humans are rare. Documented attacks usually show the cougar is injured or starving. It is important not to let small children venture alone into the bush where cougars are known to be present. |
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Canadian Wildlife Service: Hinterland Who's Who Extensive information about cougars. |
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| Cougar Encounters | |
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| Cougars
are rarely seen in the wild, but encounters do happen. If you should come across
a cougar, the best way to repel it is to make yourself look as big as possible
by waving your arms. If possible, grab a nearby stick and wave it too. Slowly
back away. Make noise. |
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Cougars
are the largest of several wild cats living in British Columbia. Their fur colour
ranges from reddish-brown to grey-brown, with lighter under parts and no markings.
The long tail is a prominent feature.Be responsible, do not feed any wildlife.
It is a matter of life and death for them.
