Latest news with #BCConservationOfficerService
Global News
10 hours ago
- Global News
Cougar activity prompts closure of Whistler bike park trails
Mountain biking in Whistler is a popular activity for the first official day of summer but that's not the case this weekend. A large portion of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park was closed due to cougar activity in the area. The BC Conservation Officer Service says it received 'information about two separate incidents at approximately 7 p.m. Friday night, involving one or more cougars,' a statement reads. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The COS says, in one incident, a mountain biker was chased by a cougar for 350 metres before falling down and throwing rocks to scare it off. In another incident, a mountain biker was approached by a cougar but ran off when other bikers arrived — though the big cat stayed in the area. No one was injured during these incidents. Story continues below advertisement The COS says, as a precaution, the creekside and garbonzo zones of the bike park will be closed Saturday and Sunday. 'In consultation with Whistler Blackcomb, partial closures of the park are in effect to ensure public safety. For information on closures, visit the park website,' a statement reads. This closure comes just a week after BC Parks had to close a popular trail near Garibaldi Lake after hikers had a close encounter with a cougar just off Rubble Creek trail. That trail is roughly 20 kilometres away from the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Incredible dog retires after performing critical job that only he could do: 'No substitute'
The technology we have at our disposal today is nothing short of mind-blowing. Yet, somehow Mother Nature still manages to craft tools that humans couldn't even sniff. Take Kilo, for instance. This German shepherd was an eight-year veteran of the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service until his retirement last month, according to the Vancouver Sun. His job was to detect invasive mussel species using his superpowerful nose that has become the stuff of legends. In over 200 inspections, Kilo sniffed out more than two dozen contaminations. His exceptional work protecting Vancouver's delicate aquatic ecosystem resulted in the expansion of the program. He even got a fellow German shepherd named Major on the BC Conservation Officer Service payroll. The canine species is renowned for its exceptional sense of smell. Dogs have applied their noses to everything from disaster rescue to bomb-sniffing operations to discovering new species of truffles. Kilo's olfactory acumen, however, is even more exceptional than most. "Kilo's abilities are uniquely exceptional, and there is simply no substitute, human or mechanical, that can achieve what Kilo can and has done with his nose," the dog's handler, Sgt. Dan Bartol, told the Sun. On top of his incredible invasive mussel-detection abilities, Kilo is adept at a variety of other scent-centric skills. Bartol said that the shepherd is also "trained to search for people and evidence, including bear parts and shell casings, and assisted in numerous COS investigations." Dogs are enough of a reason all their own to inspire us to protect our planet. Not only do they offer pure unconditional love and companionship, but they help us in our conservation efforts. Kilo isn't the only example, either. In Australia, scent-detection dogs are even being used to protect the endangered koala population. They're doing this by seeking out koalas that are free of the dangerous chlamydia infections that threaten the species. There's also a dog named Eba in California that was adopted by a research biologist and trained to sniff out orca excrement. Her unique skill is being used to track and protect the endangered species. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Dogs … Earth's best friend. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
