Wildlife

Hillside residents cannot place curbside materials out until after 5:00am on their collection day (no materials out overnight). Additionally, residents who live in the designated areas with wildlife issues are required to to store their waste and waste containers in an enclosure and/or in a way that is inaccessible to bears and other wildlife.

•  Residents who live in areas with wildlife issues will automatically be required to set out their containers at the prescribed times.

•  Information stickers may also be placed on waste container observed at the roadside overnight. The first sticker will be left as a warning, followed up with a letter. Additional observations of curbside materials left at the curb overnight may results in fines. The City wants to provide the residents an opportunity to comply before a final notice is given and a $200 fine is issued (Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw). 

• Reduce odours by freezing smelly food waste and disposing of it on the day of collection.

• Rinse recycling materials to remove food residue. Even with rinsing mixed-recycling often contains traces of food residue and odours which may attract bears so it is important to secure these bins and only place them out on regular collection day.

• Keep all containers securely stored inside a garage or another enclosed structure until collection day.

• Ensure all your containers have tight fitted lids.

Tips to Minimize Interaction with Wildlife

• Manage fruits trees and berry bushes by picking fruit as it ripens and avoiding it collecting on the ground.

• Feed pets indoors and keep bowls and food containers inside.

• Bird feeders often become bear-feeders so please only feed birds during the winter months when bears are hibernating and natural bird food is limited.

• Keep your barbecue clean and free from odours by burning off the grill every time after use and cleaning out the grease traps.

• Manage your compost properly and have equal amounts of brown and green materials added to reduce odours.

• If you have chickens, bees or small livestock, use a properly installed and maintained electric fence. Store all your feed in a secure location and ensure feeding areas are clean and free of attractants.

         For more tips, including what to do if you encounter a bear, visit wildsafebc.com.

The Province of BC provides a 24-hour Conservation Officer Service reporting line that is used by the public to report human-wildlife interactions where public safety may be at risk. The reporting line is known as the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line and can be reached at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on Telus Mobility Network or report the incident online with the link below.

Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) – Environmental Protection & Sustainability Forms (gov.bc.ca).

In British Columbia, through the Provincial Wildlife Act the province is responsible for the management and health of wildlife. Through conservation and wildlife health programs, they ensure wildlife and their habitats thrive and at the same time reduce the human-wildlife conflict.

The province also created the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline to report wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk. The RAPP program is a toll-free tip line and online service that also allows you to report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws anonymously and without risk of confronting the offender. It is available 24 hours a day and can be reached at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on TELUS Mobility Network or report the incident online with the link below.

Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) – Environmental Protection & Sustainability Forms (gov.bc.ca)

WildSafeBC is the provincial leader in preventing conflict with wildlife through collaboration, education and community solutions. They provide wildlife facts, safety advice and conflict reduction strategies for wildlife species in British Columbia. They also have different programs to increase awareness and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. WildSafeBC has local coordinators to deliver education and outreach activities to residents living in Wildlife Areas.

According to WildsafeBC, a total of 1506 wildlife reports were made to the Conservation Officer Service in the FVRD for the year of 2023. Chilliwack (591 reports), Abbotsford (560 reports)and Mission (322 reports) accounted for most wildlife reports made within the FRVD last year. The top three species were black bears (1209 reports), deer (118 reports) and coyote (58 reports).

In April to November 2023, the local WildSafeBC Community Coordinator performed outreach activities with WildSafe Rangers to 309 students and door-to-door education to 585 homes with door hanger information that was distributed in Eastern Hillside and Promontory neighbourhoods since these areas have high levels of wildlife activities. The City will continue to provide extra funding to partner with WildSafeBC in 2024 in order to continue support designated in our Wildlife Areas for more door-to- door outreach, bin tagging, and educational booths at community events.

In Spring 2024, WildsafeBC collaborated with the City of Chilliwack and BC's Conservation Officer Services to host a Waste & Wildlife Information Session at Chillwack's City Hall. Information was provided on ways to reduce wildlife conflicts by responsibly managing wastes and other attractants in Wildlife Areas. Residents who live in Wildlife Areas were invited to attend, provide feedback, and had the opportunity to speak to a Conservation Officer, a WildsafeBC representative, and staff from the Environmental Services department.

Wildlife and Waste Information Session Q & A document is available to view. 

For more information about WildSafeBC please visit their website Home – WildsafeBC.