Community

Wildlife/Nature

Wildlife on the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including deer, raccoons, coyotes, and bears. Living here means sharing our community with these animals, and taking simple steps can help reduce conflicts.

How You Can Help

We can all help keep wildlife wild—and our neighbourhoods safe—by:

  • Securing waste: Store garbage in wildlife-resistant containers or keep it indoors until collection day.
  • Picking ripe fruit: Don’t let fallen fruit accumulate on your property.
  • Cleaning BBQs: Remove grease and food residue after each use.
  • Limiting bird feeders: Use only in winter, and hang them out of reach.

The Town of Gibsons has bylaws in place to support these practices and reduce wildlife attractants.

Report Wildlife Encounters

If you have a confrontation with, or feel threatened by, a wild animal, call the Conservation Officer Service immediately at 1‑877‑952‑7277.

Living with Bears

Many bears live on the Sunshine Coast. To avoid unnecessary harm to these animals and keep people safe, residents and visitors all must play a role.

The single most effective way to keep bears away from homes is to secure attractants like garbage, compost, fruit, and pet food. This prevents property damage, protects people, and stops bears from being destroyed due to conflicts.

Helpful Links:

Pro tip: If a bear has been near your garbage area, spraying the spot with a bleach solution can discourage it from returning.

Death Cap Mushrooms

Warning: Death cap mushrooms are extremely dangerous and are appearing in growing numbers across BC, including urban areas.

  • The death cap is the world’s most poisonous mushroom. It can cause fatal liver and kidney damage.
  • One mushroom may be enough to kill an adult.

The BC Centre for Disease Control advises against picking urban mushrooms altogether and urges people to report sightings of death caps.

Death Cap Mushroom info from the BC Centre for Disease Control

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