After a spate of sightings and conflicts between bobcats and domestic dogs in the Squamish area, CBC spoke with Meg Toom, a coordinator at WildSafeBC.
“We have more people coming into the area, more dogs off leash, and as you put more and more people into the trails network you’re going to have more encounters,” Toom told CBC. “It’s looking like a territorial situation.”
Toom is opening a conversation up – and so far, it is one that does not include lethal action, for which we are grateful. She’s even hosting an information event tonight (Wednesday, April 23) to help educate residents on steps they can take to reduce conflicts.
Too often we hear of decision-makers jumping the gun and seeking lethal control prior to examining the possible causes. In this case, the possible causes are being examined first, and co-existence solutions explored.
This is a positive sign: the right questions are being asked, so the right answers will be found.
Photo by dracobotanicus/CC
