BCWF
06-23-2015, 11:38 AM
BCWF Statement on Video of Boaters Harassing Moose in Northern BC
A disturbing video was recently posted online showing an individual harassing a moose in northern BC by jumping on its back as it navigated a body of water.
The BC Wildlife Federation condemns this type of unacceptable behaviour in the strongest terms possible. In addition to being very disrespectful to the animal, the actions of the individuals depicted in the video constitute an offence under the Wildlife Act. BCWF is in full support of the ongoing investigation by the BC Conservation Officer Service to identify and charge the perpetrators.
Harassing wildlife in this manner could have resulted in the death of the moose either directly as a result of extreme stress, or indirectly through making the animal more vulnerable to predation. The actions taken by the individuals in the video were also extremely dangerous to themselves personally and could easily have ended in tragedy.
"As BC’s oldest and largest conservation organization, BCWF has the utmost respect and reverence for our province’s wildlife. The behaviour displayed by the individuals in the video does not at all represent BCWF’s 46,000 members, who are passionately committed to conserving and enhancing BC’s fish, wildlife, and habitat. We look forward to a positive outcome to the BC Conservation Officer Service investigation and hope that those responsible for this act are brought to justice,” said BCWF President George Wilson.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
A disturbing video was recently posted online showing an individual harassing a moose in northern BC by jumping on its back as it navigated a body of water.
The BC Wildlife Federation condemns this type of unacceptable behaviour in the strongest terms possible. In addition to being very disrespectful to the animal, the actions of the individuals depicted in the video constitute an offence under the Wildlife Act. BCWF is in full support of the ongoing investigation by the BC Conservation Officer Service to identify and charge the perpetrators.
Harassing wildlife in this manner could have resulted in the death of the moose either directly as a result of extreme stress, or indirectly through making the animal more vulnerable to predation. The actions taken by the individuals in the video were also extremely dangerous to themselves personally and could easily have ended in tragedy.
"As BC’s oldest and largest conservation organization, BCWF has the utmost respect and reverence for our province’s wildlife. The behaviour displayed by the individuals in the video does not at all represent BCWF’s 46,000 members, who are passionately committed to conserving and enhancing BC’s fish, wildlife, and habitat. We look forward to a positive outcome to the BC Conservation Officer Service investigation and hope that those responsible for this act are brought to justice,” said BCWF President George Wilson.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.