Introduction
Material on this website represents the most current information available
regarding wildlife inventory and wildlife management in the Ministry of Environment,
Vancouver Island Region. Information on this website is intended for use by government staff,
contract biologists, resource planners and the general public.
Information on this website is regularly updated and generally represents the most
current information available. However, users are cautioned that some of the information occurring on the website is work in progress or changes content more frequently than website updates.
How to Use This Site
You may obtain reference lists, downloadable reports, and link to other
sources of wildlife-related information by following some of the other links in this site. Pictures in the
Homepage link to general wildlife information. Look in the FRBC inventory
pages for specific wildlife and wildlife habitat inventory reports
conducted in Region 1.
Requests of additional information can be made through the
Wildlife / Wildlife Habitat Inventory Specialist
Requests for more information regarding wildlife management in the Vancouver
Island Region can be directed to the Wildlife Program in Nanaimo 250 751-3100
Please be aware that in some instances, sensitive information, such
as species locations or breeding grounds, is confidential. This information in not readily available and
requires clearance from the Regional Rare and Endangered Species Specialist. Alternatively,
contact the
Conservation Data Center for availability of
sensitive-information.
General Wildlife Information
Vancouver Island Region has a broad array of vertebrate and non-vertebrate
wildlife species.
A comprehensive species list for the Vancouver Island Region is available
here (PDF 86KB) in pdf format. Specifically, this species list details the species
present in the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH), Coastal Douglas Fir (CDF) and Mountain Hemlock (MH) subzones.
For a MS Excel version that can be
queried click here.
If you would like to report a bird band number you can call 1 800 327 2263
or go to the US Geological Survey Bird Band Laboratory for more
information about the North American Bird Banding Program.
Wildlife Stewardship is also an important component of the Wildlife Program
responsibilities. We recommend going to the The
Stewardship Centre for comprehensive information about wildlife stewardship.
Exotic / Introduced / Nuisance Species
Vancouver Island Region has suffered from the introduction of
several non-native wildlife species. These species can limit the distribution, abundance and reproduction
of native species.
Non-native species are under Schedule C of the Wildlife Act include:
American Bullfrog
Black-billed Magpie
Brown-headed Cowbird
Eastern Cottontail
European Rabbit
European Starling
Gray Squirrel
House Sparrow
North American Opossum
Nutria
Rock Dove
Snapping Turtle
Some of these species can cause significant damage, and the Wildlife
Program has some recommendations for dealing with encounters with some of these species. Useful
brochures/posters include Grey Squirrels brochure
(PDF 359KB) or 11x17"
poster (PDF 267KB),
Impacts and Management of the Alien Eastern Gray Squirrel in Great Britain
and Italy: Lessons for British Columbia (PDF 68KB); information on monitoring the range expansion and control strategies (48x36" poster 3.69MB) and guidance
for encounters with Raccoons,
Cougars and
Bears
at home and Bears in the wild. Additional information about Grey Squirrels and our native Red Squirrels is found in the FAQs (213KB) and on the Vancouver Island University website (where you can also report a sighting).
Wildlife Permits and Regulations
Under the
Wildlife Act, the Permit Regulation is the main legal tool that
people can use to exercise special priveleges. The Permit Regulations were updated in September 2000,
and an introduction to these Permit Regulations can be found
here.
According to the Wildlife Act, special permits are required to handle
and transport wildlife. Copies of these permits can be downloaded
below.
General
Permit Application form (PDF 13KB)
(for use with all Wildlife Act permits)
Permit to Import Wildlife (PDF 28KB)
Permit Application for Possession
of Wildlife or Parts (PDF 20KB)
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Certain wildlife species in Region 1 succumb to injuries as a result
of both natural phenomenon and manmade phenomenon. When injury is minor, it may be feasible to try
to rehabilitate individuals. For a list of rehabilitation facilities contact the
Wildlife Rehabilitators Network
of British Columbia |