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Thursday, August 27, 2015
» Outdoors
CRIME
Warrant out for poaching suspect Jack fails to appear in court for illegal hunting charges MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
highest concentration in Canada – regularly hunting near communities at the edge of the wilderness. While reporting is needed to prevent the animals from becoming habituated to populated areas, Alberni residents need to understand that cougars have as much of a right to exist in the surrounding wildness as people do to live in communities, said Ackles. “If people decide they want to live on Vancouver Island, well, cougars live on Vancouver Island and there’s nothing we do or will do about that,” he said. Wildlife management authorities encourage the public to report sightings of cougars and other animals that could come into conflict with people to the 1-877-952-7277 hotline.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man charged with elk poaching, who failed to appear in Port Alberni court on Wednesday. Wilson Timothy Jack (a.k.a. Timothy Wilson Jack), 49, was scheduled to appear in court facing charges under the B.C. Wildlife Act for hunting wildlife out of season and unlawful possession of dead wildlife. He failed to appear, and no one appeared on his behalf, said Crown prosecutor Gordon Baines. “A warrant has been issued for his arrest,” he said. Insp. Mac Richards, officer in charge of the Port Alberni RCMP, said police who have jurisdiction where the warrant is in effect can arrest Jack. That includes conservation officers, Richards said. The alleged poaching took place in November 2013. The elk was found south of Port Alberni on Nuu-chahnulth territory. Jack was scheduled to appear again in Port Alberni court on Sept. 2. He first appeared on Aug. 5 and his case was adjourned as he requested time to consult a defence lawyer. Failing to appear in court is a criminal offence under the code. Wildlife poaching has been a problem on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in recent years. Ken Watts, vice-president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, said there has been a wave of elk poaching in the region with at least 23 Roosevelt elk illegally killed since 2013. When eight elk carcasses were discovered in late 2013, the NTC offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for poaching. B.C. Coastal Outfitters (now the Wildlife Stewardship Council) added $5,000 to the award amount with the B.C. Wildlife Federation offering an additional $2,000, CUPE 118 pledging $1,000 and Pearson Kal Tire adding $1,000 for a total reward of $34,000.
Eric.Plummer@avtimes.net
Martin.Wissmath@avtimes.net
Sweet Alberni Visiting from Winnipeg, Jesse Rosteski made a stop with his family at Coombs Country Candy to snack on a big bag of cotton candy. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
REGION
More reporting needed to avoid conflict with wildlife, says officer ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
The public needs to play a larger role to prevent conflict with wildlife, says a provincial conservation officer overseeing the Port Alberni area. Steve Ackles has seen a decline in reports to the Conservation Officer Service this year, a frustrating trend that makes wildlife management more difficult in the Alberni Valley. “We haven’t been receiving any reports,” said Ackles. “People seem to be doing that nowadays, they’re not reporting the sightings and there’s nothing we can do about it.” The issue arose this week after several rumors of a cougar lurking around neighbourhoods in Cherry Creek. Tanya Dudoward was startled to see the full-grown predator as she drove down
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Kitsuksis Road near Wednesbury Street Friday evening on the way to pick up her young daughter. “I had my headlights on and it stopped, it was just sitting there,” she said. “It was a really nice looking animal.” A report was sent to the conservation hotline on Monday afternoon of a cougar spotted on Beaver Creek Road near Hills, but more information from the public is needed for officers to determine if wildlife are dangerous. “It’s extremely important that we get the sightings,” Ackles said. “This year it’s getting quite bad in that we’re not getting the reports until it’s too late for the animal.” This is what occurred in June when a cougar jumped into a boat on Sproat Lake. The animal had previously attacked a dog and appeared to be starving, said
Ackles. “That was a cougar that definitely had to be removed from the population,” he said. The large cats frequently move through the Alberni Valley’s wooded areas in search of deer, but they can become a threat to humans if they are forced into desperation by another cougar, added Ackles. Unpredictable behaviour, such as stalking during the day or lurking around populated areas, brings concerns. “Cougars are territorial, and if there’s a bigger cougar that’s claimed that territory, a cougar will move out and is kept on the run a lot,” Ackles said. w“It’ll start looking at domestic livestock as a food source or pets – even in very rare cases start stalking people.” Although the predators are seldom seen, almost 1,000 cougars populate Vancouver Island – the
Federal election brings back season of signs
New resident finds home for work and play
Signs have started popping up beside city streets and private properties but residents are reminded that there are bylaws to go along with them. » Alberni Region, Page 3A
From the time he arrived a month ago, Dan Fredlund has been involed in community events, recreational activities and the Valley’s hidden gems. » Community, Page 5A
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