Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat

The powerful grizzly bear, the beautiful blue heron, and the magnificent killer whale.  British Columbia is home to a wide range of animals, and wildlife is viewed both as an important resource and something to protect in the province. 

 

Wildlife – Generally

In B.C., wildlife – whether living or dead – belongs to the provincial government.  The Wildlife Act makes it illegal for any person to hunt wild animals without a hunting licence.  It then allows government to set rules about how and when hunting and trapping can occur. 

The Wildlife Act also creates some powers to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat.  Some types of damage to wildlife or their habitat are made generally illegal, including:

·         damage to a muskrat house or den or beaver house, den or dam (with a few exceptions);

·         damage to a bird or its egg, or the nest of a bird occupied by a bird or egg;

·         damage to the nest of certain large birds of prey.

However, for most species, the Wildlife Act only really provides protection when the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection creates a “wildlife management area”.  A Wildlife Management Area cannot be used without the permission of the Minister, and there are specific restrictions against harming wildlife or their habitat within a Wildlife Management Area. 

The Federal government also plays a role in protecting wildlife.  The Canadian Wildlife Service has general powers to purchase and manage land for wildlife, as well as to work with provinces to protect wildlife, under the Canada Wildlife Act. 

There are a series of land-use designations on public land that have the effect of protecting different types of ecosystems, and which therefore protect the habitat of different species.  Some of these are discussed on the Biological Diversity page of the Guide.  The Guide also provides a more comprehensive list of public land-use-designations.

 

Specific Species

Both the federal and provincial governments have powers to protect particular species of animals that are endangered or threatened species.   Endangered species are species which are in danger of being eliminated from their natural territory and/or altogether.  Threatened species are species that could become endangered.

In addition, under regulations passed under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act no person can hunt a migratory bird or disturb a migratory bird’s nests or eggs.  Migratory bird sanctuaries can and have also been set up under the Act to protect the habitat of migratory birds. 

 

Related Pages of the Guide:

·         Endangered Species.

·         Biological Diversity.

·         Fish and Fish Habitat.

For more information:

·         Canada Wildlife Service website.

·         Wildlife Management page of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.