Securing Attractants

Attractants are any materials that can draw wildlife due to smell or accessibility. These may include:

• Garbage and food waste
• Recycling with food residue
• Compost
• Pet food or livestock feed
• Bird feeders
• Barbecues and grease
• Fruit trees and fallen fruit

Improperly stored attractants can lead to wildlife becoming food-conditioned and entering neighbourhoods.

Residents must take reasonable steps to ensure that attractants are stored, managed, and disposed of in a way that does not attract wildlife.

This includes:

• Keeping garbage securely stored until collection day
• Preventing access to compost and food waste
• Avoiding the placement of food outdoors where wildlife can access it
• Maintaining properties free of conditions that may attract animals

Failure to secure attractants may result in enforcement under Bylaw No. 392.

Garbage and Recycling

• Store waste in a secure building or wildlife-resistant container
• Place carts at the curb only on collection day
• Rinse containers to reduce odours

Compost

• Use a secure compost bin with a tight-fitting lid
• Do not include meat, fish, or dairy products
• Regularly maintain compost to reduce odours

Outdoor Food Sources

• Do not leave pet food outdoors
• Clean barbecues and grease trays after each use
• Remove or secure bird feeders when wildlife is active

Fruit Trees and Gardens

• Harvest fruit promptly
• Remove fallen fruit from the ground
• Consider fencing or netting where appropriate

Livestock and Small Animals

• Store feed in wildlife-proof containers
• Use secure enclosures for chickens and small animals

When wildlife gains access to human food sources:

• Animals can become habituated to people
• The risk of aggressive encounters increases
• Property damage may occur
• Serious conflicts can have harmful outcomes for wildlife

Preventing access to attractants is the most effective way to reduce these outcomes.

Seeing bears in Sooke is common, especially during spring and fall. If you encounter a bear, stay calm and keep a safe distance. Do not approach or feed the animal.

Bring pets indoors or keep them leashed, and ensure children are close by. Make noise so the bear is aware of your presence, and give it space to move away.

If a bear is lingering in the area or accessing attractants, report it to District of Sooke Bylaw or the BC Conservation Officer Service.

For wildlife that appears aggressive or poses an immediate risk to public safety, contact the BC Conservation Officer Service.

For non-emergency concerns, you can report issues through the District’s Online Bylaw Report Service.

Yes, bird feeders are allowed. However, they can attract bears. If bears are active in your neighbourhood, consider temporarily removing feeders until the animals have moved on.

Residents are also encouraged to remove or secure feeders during high wildlife activity periods, particularly in spring and fall.

Unsecured attractants can lead to increased wildlife activity and conflicts. This may result in enforcement under Bylaw No. 392 and can have serious consequences for wildlife.

Wildlife relocation is not undertaken or managed by the District of Sooke. It is the responsibility of provincial or federal agencies, such as the BC Conservation Officer Service or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, depending on the species and location.

Animals that become accustomed to human food sources often return or may not survive in a new area. This is one of the reasons why securing attractants is important to support coexistence.

Simple actions like securing attractants, managing waste properly, and keeping wildlife wild make a big difference in reducing conflicts.

Residents interested in learning more or volunteering can visit:

• Wild Wise Society – https://www.wildwisesociety.org/